중국위협론의 실체와 우리의 대비방향 연구

Abstract

In 1948 People’s Republic of China unified and then experienced stagnation under the Mao administration in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1980s Deung Xiao Ping initia -ted the open-door and reform policy. Based on 10% or more economic growth every year, its size of economy expanded to the unseen level. By 2010 it has surpassed Ja -pan's economic size and reached to the second largest economy in the world. With its economy its military might has expanded as well. The Chinese military has incr -eased its capability by modernizing the weapons system and introducing new equi -pments. With its expanded national strength China is now trying to exert its power to neighboring countries, while the US and Japan do not acknowledge this tendency. What is clear is the fact that China is expanding its military might and gives a per -ception to its neighbors that China is a threat. This phenomenon has occurred in the Spratly islands disputes with the Philippines and Vietnam in the South China Sea. With recent introduction of aircraft carrier, this fear of China as a threat is becoming a reality. In addition, China as the chair of 6 party talks has the key to resolve the North Korea's nuclear issue. Some speculate that China might has a possibility of conducting military intervention on to North Korea, if there is a sud -den turmoil in North Korea. It is due to the fact that China has a direct stake on to the Korean matters. China also has a variety of stakes on the issues of maritime territorial conflicts, fishing problems, and distortion of history matters. If things become worse and problems become escalated to the serious level of conflicts, then Korea should face China which has the second largest economy and soon a regional hegemon in the Asia-Pacific region. One day, this can be a reality to Korea as China being a threat; and thus, this is the reason why Korea has to see the reality of China as a threat and prepare for it.