中国海洋強国化 地域の緊張高める覇権主義

The Yomiuri Shimbun August 25, 2013
China’s hegemonic ambition heightening regional tension
中国海洋強国化　地域の緊張高める覇権主義（8月24日付・読売社説）

The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping, which has been stepping up efforts to make the country a great maritime power, seems to have more fully revealed its hard-line stance through a recent statement by the Chinese defense chief in the United States.
　「海洋強国化」を加速する中国の習近平政権が強硬姿勢を一段と鮮明にしたと言えよう。

In a joint news conference with U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel held after their meeting, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan warned that nobody should have the idea that China would ever relinquish its core interests.
　米国を訪れた中国の常万全国防相は、ヘーゲル米国防長官との会談後の共同記者会見で、「中国が核心的利益を手放すと夢想すべきではない」と強調した。

This was a peremptory statement, as he clearly had in mind the confrontation with Japan over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture and friction with Vietnam and the Philippines over sovereignty in the South China Sea. Chang went on to say that China’s determination to defend its territory, sovereignty and maritime interests should not be underestimated.
　沖縄県・尖閣諸島を巡る日本との対立や、南シナ海の領有権問題でのベトナム、フィリピンとの摩擦を念頭に置いた威圧的発言である。常氏は「我々の領土、主権、海洋権益を守る決意を過小評価すべきではない」とも語った。

His statement echoes Xi’s remarks at a key conference in late July that “core interests cannot be sacrificed” and his resolve to build a “strong maritime state.”
　習国家主席が７月末の重要会議で、「核心的利益は犠牲にできない」と、「海洋強国」建設へ決意表明したことを受けたものだ。

Chang’s warning could be intended as a check on the Asia-focused military strategy of the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama. It was also likely meant to put pressure on Japan prior to the first anniversary of the Japanese government’s nationalization of the Senkakus in September.
　オバマ米政権の「アジア重視」の軍事戦略に対する牽制(けんせい)だろう。日本政府の尖閣諸島国有化から９月で１年になるのを前に、日本に圧力をかける狙いもある。

On Aug. 15, the 68th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Chinese military conducted live-fire drills and other training with the aircraft carrier Liaoning. These might be intended as threats to Japan.
　終戦の日の８月１５日、中国軍が東シナ海での実弾演習と、空母「遼寧」の訓練を実施したのも、日本への威嚇のつもりなのだろう。

Xi has said that China will never seek to reign supreme. But backed by its strong military power, China has been trying to forcibly impound the sea, a common resource, thereby achieving hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region.
　習氏は「中国は決して覇権を唱えない」と言うが、強大な軍事力を背景に公共財である海洋を力ずくで囲い込み、アジア太平洋地域で覇権を握ろうとしている。

Accidental clashes feared

In light of the January incident in which Chinese Navy ships locked weapons-targeting radar onto a Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel near the Senkakus, the Xi administration’s hard-line stance may provoke Chinese troops to engage in radical and provocative actions in the field.
　尖閣諸島周辺で１月、中国海軍艦艇によるレーダー照射事件が起きたように、習政権の強硬姿勢は、現場部隊の過激な挑発行動を煽(あお)る可能性がある。

Japan must tighten its guard around the Senkakus.
　日本は尖閣諸島周辺の警戒を強めねばならない。

To prevent accidental military clashes involving ships and aircraft, it is necessary to accelerate the building of a “maritime communications mechanism” between Japanese and Chinese military authorties. The Xi administration must proceed with talks on the matter as long as it claims to seek “peaceful development.”
　艦艇や航空機の偶発的な軍事衝突を回避するために、日中防衛当局間の緊急連絡体制である「海上連絡メカニズム」の構築を急ぐ必要がある。習政権は「平和発展」を掲げている以上、協議を進めるべきではないか。

The situation is no less serious in the South China Sea. China last year took control of the Scarborough Shoal, over which the Philippines also claims sovereignty, and has its government ships patrol around the shoal.
　南シナ海でも同様に事態は深刻だ。中国とフィリピンが領有権を巡って対立するスカボロー礁では昨年、中国が支配権を確立し、公船の巡回を常態化させている。

The United States and the Philippines entered into negotiations in the middle of this month to conclude a new agreement that would increase the frequency and expand the scale of U.S. military patrols. This is a concrete step to push the new Asia-centered U.S. strategy and a laudable strengthening of deterrence against China.
　米国はフィリピンとの間で、米軍の巡回頻度と展開規模を拡大する新協定締結に向けた協議を今月中旬から始めた。「アジア重視」戦略の具体化であり、対中抑止力を強める動きと評価できよう。

Japan will provide 10 patrol boats to the Philippines. These ships will help improve the country’s maritime security capabilities. Cooperation must also be deepened in terms of personnel development.
　日本は巡視船１０隻を供与する。フィリピンの海上保安能力の向上に寄与するだろう。人材養成面でも協力を深めたい。

It is crucial for Japan to emphasize the unjustness of China’s provocations in international forums, including the expanded defense ministerial conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to be held later this month.
　今月末の東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）拡大国防相会議などで、日本は中国の挑発の不当さを訴えていくことが重要だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 24, 2013)
（2013年8月24日01時11分 読売新聞）