The Chinese nation had slept for well over a century. This was the period when the Anglo-Saxons unleashed the disgraceful opium war (1839 - 1862) in the name of free trade, killing thousands of unarmed Chinese people. The Chinese nation was sleeping during this period. Napoleon Bonaparte famously said, "Let it sleep; when it wakes up it will shake the world". With the arrival of Mao Zedong, followed by Deng Xiaping, China has truly shaken off its slumber and it's now well and truly awake and alert.
Now the Chinese have started dreaming and dreaming big. The Chinese Communist Party recently elected a new General Secretary and other members of the Politburo. The new General Secretary, who is also the military commander-in-chief, Xi Jinping, announced that China has the greatest dream which was the revival of the Chinese nation. His announcement reverberated throughout the nation. Schools have been organising "Chinese-dream" speaking competitions. Party officials have selected model dreamers to tour workplaces and inspire others with their achievements. An analyst writes that the adoption of a personal slogan that conveys a sense beyond normal wisdom and vision in a short memorable phrase has been a rite of passage since the time of Chinese resurgence.
The latest slogan is ringing throughout the Chinese nation. In his acceptance speech, Xi Jinping stated at the National People's Congress, China's Parliament, that the Chinese dream would be fulfilled by the middle of the century. It was ordered soon after that the concept of the Chinese dream be written into school textbooks to make sure that the message got across.
After his recent visit to Beijing, the American Secretary of State, John Kerry, said that the America, China and other countries should all work towards a pacific dream of cooperation on issues ranging from job growth and climate change control of pandemic disease and proliferation. This suggestion did little to abate mutual suspicion between the two countries. The idea of a pacific dream, said a Chinese commentator, was an American attempt to spread the American dream to every corner of Asia in order to ensure America's dominance of this region.
Xi Jinping has also said that the Chinese dream is the people's dream. He said at the National People's Congress that while China has no doubt well and truly risen from its long slumber, it should not alarm the neighbouring nations and their people. But the actual situation is somewhat different. China is going all out to strengthen itself militarily and economically. China has made territorial claims on South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and India. India does not accept the assertion of China on the South China Sea. Japan also has reacted strongly to Chinese military actions near the disputed Islands. With the US backing as its secondary strength, Japan has warned that it would not accept China's claims on the disputed islands and would challenge them.
A well-known Chinese think tank recently published an interesting Blue Book. While it may not represent the official view of the government, it is very close to it since the government and party officials man these think tanks. On India, the Blue Book has expressed the view that the government is in serious crisis but it is likely to emerge as a strong country after successfully dealing with its problems and challenges. It is worthwhile to know that the Blue Book summary on India refers to corruption scandals and divisions within the UPA. On the foreign policy front, the Blue Book notes that India has focussed on boosting relations with its neighbours in South Asia, pushed forward peace with Pakistan and developed strategic relations with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, countries with whom China also had strong economic ties.
The Blue Book sees the US as a pivot to Asia and strengthening of alliances in the region is viewed by the Chinese analyst as being directed to contain China. The Blue Book also notes that India's defence cooperation with the US, Japan, Vietnam and Australia has strengthened it.
What lessons does India need to learn from these developments? India has to act with maturity while dealing with the resurgent China.
The recent Chinese intrusion in Ladakh has been dealt with amicably after flag meetings between Indian Generals and their Chinese counterparts and also by holding discussions between the two countries at the diplomatic level.
When External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid visited Beijing, his discussions with his Chinese counterpart provided the hope that sooner or later an amicable border settlement between two great countries of the Asia can be worked out.
A reference to a book by Martin Jacques of the London School of Economics titled "When China Rules the World" (published in 2012) is inescapable. Martin Jacques's celebrated book overturns conventional thinking about the ascendancy of China, showing how its impact will not be just economic but also cultural. As China's powerful civilization reasserts itself, it will signal the end of the global dominance of the Western nation-state, and a future of 'contested modernity'.
The forthcoming visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is of considerable importance. While interacting with an Indian youth delegation in Beijing, imperial gardens housing the headquarters of China's ruling Communist Party and central government, Li spoke warmly about his visit to India 27 years ago as the leader of a youth delegation. The fond memories of the visit made him choose India as his first overseas visit after becoming the Premier. After reaching New Delhi on May 19, Li will also visit Mumbai before leaving for Pakistan, Germany and Switzerland.
Li went on to say that that for this vision to come true, the two countries must shake hands and conduct exchanges so that together we can raise the standing of Asia in the world and truly make the Asian economy an important engine for the world economy.
Let's hope that the Chinese Premier's visit will truly mark an important phase in Sino-Indian relations.
(The writer is an Advisor to Observer Research Foundation, Delhi)
Courtesy : The Tribune, May 17, 2013
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