China`s arrogance toward `small countries`

Dai Bingguo, a State Councilor and top diplomat of China, called the Philippines a "small country." In a speech to the Chinese People`s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, he began his controversial comments by saying that while China must remain humble and not arrogant toward other countries, being humble and vigilant are not the same as being weak. Dai then added, "Smaller countries should not bully larger countries, for instance, the Philippines." To the Philippine people, this comment might have sounded like a warning that a small country should not stand up against China.

Dai is China`s top diplomat. After serving as ambassador to Hungary, assistant deputy foreign minister, deputy foreign minister and director of the international liaison department of the Communist Party of China, he was elected in 2008 by the National People`s Congress as state councilor in charge of foreign affairs, a deputy premier-level position. Since he is accustomed to indirect and ambiguous diplomatic rhetoric, his bluntness on disparaging smaller countries carry unusual gravity. He might have made unreserved comments at a gathering of only Chinese people. Chinese media, however, are also chiming in with his reference to small countries. The Global Times, an English-language Chinese newspaper under the state-run People`s Daily, the official paper of the Communist Party, ran an article urging China to not confront a small country like the Philippines face-to-face.

Beijing has a territorial dispute with Manila over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which is called Huangyan Island in China, in the South China Sea. When a Philippine naval vessel attempted to capture eight Chinese fishing boats operating illegally near the outcrops, a Chinese patrol ship scurried to the scene and had a stand-off. Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Fu Ying summoned the Philippine ambassador in Beijing, warning that China "will not rule out the use of force." China has also stopped Chinese from traveling to the Philippines. The disputed outcrops are 230 kilometers away from the Philippines and 1,000 kilometers from China. The Philippines blames China for coveting Philippine territory.

China denies that it is seeking hegemony, but it changes its attitude in the event of a territorial dispute. Four days ago, Chinese President Hu Jintao rejected a proposal from Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda for a summit, indicating his discontent over Tokyo`s strengthened territorial claim over the Senkaku Islands, which are called Diaoyu in China. Since China seems disregarded by Japan and looks down on the Philippines as a small country, Beijing`s actions are not surprising. China seems to be pursuing hegemony based on its economic and military power.

Editorial Writer Bhang Hyeong-nam (hnbhang@donga.com) Dai Bingguo, a State Councilor and top diplomat of China, called the Philippines a "small country." In a speech to the Chinese People`s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, he began his controversial comments by saying that while China must remain humble and not arrogant toward other countries, being humble and vigilant are not the same as being weak. Dai then added, "Smaller countries should not bully larger countries, for instance, the Philippines." To the Philippine people, this comment might have sounded like a warning that a small country should not stand up against China.

Dai is China`s top diplomat. After serving as ambassador to Hungary, assistant deputy foreign minister, deputy foreign minister and director of the international liaison department of the Communist Party of China, he was elected in 2008 by the National People`s Congress as state councilor in charge of foreign affairs, a deputy premier-level position. Since he is accustomed to indirect and ambiguous diplomatic rhetoric, his bluntness on disparaging smaller countries carry unusual gravity. He might have made unreserved comments at a gathering of only Chinese people. Chinese media, however, are also chiming in with his reference to small countries. The Global Times, an English-language Chinese newspaper under the state-run People`s Daily, the official paper of the Communist Party, ran an article urging China to not confront a small country like the Philippines face-to-face.

Beijing has a territorial dispute with Manila over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which is called Huangyan Island in China, in the South China Sea. When a Philippine naval vessel attempted to capture eight Chinese fishing boats operating illegally near the outcrops, a Chinese patrol ship scurried to the scene and had a stand-off. Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Fu Ying summoned the Philippine ambassador in Beijing, warning that China "will not rule out the use of force." China has also stopped Chinese from traveling to the Philippines. The disputed outcrops are 230 kilometers away from the Philippines and 1,000 kilometers from China. The Philippines blames China for coveting Philippine territory.

China denies that it is seeking hegemony, but it changes its attitude in the event of a territorial dispute. Four days ago, Chinese President Hu Jintao rejected a proposal from Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda for a summit, indicating his discontent over Tokyo`s strengthened territorial claim over the Senkaku Islands, which are called Diaoyu in China. Since China seems disregarded by Japan and looks down on the Philippines as a small country, Beijing`s actions are not surprising. China seems to be pursuing hegemony based on its economic and military power.

Editorial Writer Bhang Hyeong-nam (hnbhang@donga.com)