중국의 강대국화 전략과 한·일 관계

Abstract

In a world in which the United States holds a preponderance of power, how does China design a grand strategy to advance its security interests? How does China’s grand strategy affect Korea-Japan relations? This article identifies the perimeters of China's grand strategy and its impact on Korea-Japan relations. China is pursuing a grand strategy that combines elements of internal and external ones. The internal strategy aims to increase China’s relative power through economic development, but one with its emphasis on the eradication of income gap between regions (urban vs. rural) and social classes and on sustainability, stability, and distribution. The case in point was the fifth plenary session of the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, in which the Chinese leadership put a special emphasis on the stability and solidarity of the economic system and de- monstrated its strong will to convert the wealth of a nation into the wealth of people. The external strategy is designed to limit or frustrate U.S. policy initia- tives deemed detrimental to Chinese interests through the reorganization of the US-led unipolar system and the promotion of the ‘Beijing Consensus.’ For Beijing, China’s external strategy can be best ensured by pushing for the issues on Taiwan and Tibet and the dispute over the Diaoyudao island chain claimed by both Japan and China. China’s grand strategy has a resounding impact on the politico-economic order in the East Asian region. Both Korea and Japan are urged to carefully study China’s grand strategy. First, Korea and Japan are advised to weaken their nationalism and patriotism, to tame hegemonic intentions, and to draw up measures to stimulate the development of ‘East Asian community.’ Second, it behooves both Korea and Japan to promote the bilateral∕multilateral talks for a peaceful resolution of territory∕sovereignty issues and to refrain from politicization of these issues. A sincere discussion on the peaceful development and use of EEZ around the Diaoyudao area is particularly in need. Third, both Korea and Japan need to keep an eye on the recent trend of China’s unstable internal politics- democratization, religion, human rights, secession movement of minorities- and prepare for the possibility of these factors' negative impact on East Asia. Of course, the various types of cooperation between Korea and Japan regarding China’s rapid rise should center around coexistence and co-prosperity of East Asia and not deterrence of China’s rise. In other words, future relations between Korea and Japan are to maintain spirit of stimulation of peace and stability in East Asia and to reject political, self-fulfilling approach. Cooperation between Korea and Japan should thus focus on neighborly friendship, stability, and co-prosperity of East Asia. If not, cooperation between Korea and Japan will only reconfirm ‘同床異夢’ of Korea, Japan, China. In the same bed but with different dreams, as the Chinese saying would have it.