China and Japan’s Power Struggle in East Asia

• Main Authors: Chih-Wen Hung, 洪志文
• Other Authors: Tung-Yeh Wu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/22582685375490962043

碩士 === 國立中正大學 === 政治學所 === 98 === Since the end of the Cold War, regional politics and regionalization has developed significantly and rapidly. More and more international relations scholars argue that it is necessary to reassess the regional level of international relations in East Asia. Currently, arguably three types of Regionalism exist in East Asia. The first, Asia-Pacific Regionalism was initiated by the United States in the1990s and emphasizes the liberalization of trade. The second, ASEAN Regionalism was created and is continuous promoted by ASEAN. The third, East Asian Regionalism however is vigorously debated due to China and Japan’s contrasting viewpoints and differing strategic considerations. Thus, the thesis seeks to explain how China and Japan’s different viewpoints have developed their East Asian policy and Regionalism. The concept of “Leadership” was used as a framework to analyze this process and interplay. Furthermore, the thesis illustrates material power, institutional involvement, and the policy discourses of both states through three dimensions of power. Finally, I argue that China will continue to keep a low profile and to eulogize a “peaceful and responsible” discourse. Moreover, China will continue to deny that she has the willingness and capacity to play a leading role in East Asia. In other words, China will avoid demonstrating an explicit East Asian policy in the short-term, due to the fear that any explicit grand strategy proposal on East Asian regionalism could be regarded by other major powers to be a quest for regional leadership. In contrast, Japan will keenly continue to build the East Asia Community and related regional institutions, even though these behaviors may be suspiciously perceived by China, some ASEAN states, and even the United States.