China's Participation In The Asean Regional Forum Process And Objectives

Shortly after the end of Cold War, security situations in Asia-Pacific regional were complex; meanwhile flourishing regional security organizations acted as an important tool for regional countries to get free of security dilemma, promote security and mutual trust, resolve potential conflicts and to enhance national power. ASEAN Regional Forum had emerged under such circumstances. With its unique operating mechanism, it attracted big countries outside to join in, achieving and maintaining their own security interests. China was also actively and largely involved in the first and second diplomatic tracks of this forum. This paper has discussed process of China's participation in activities of ARF, the gain or loss on specific issues, China's position on the Forum's future development and other related issues. The article firstly analyses reasons for establishment of Forum based on international political and security interest, with focusing on description of two-track side by side. It is this unique "ASEAN way" that gives ARF a major role in promoting mutual trust and building cooperation. Then, it describes China's overall interests and goals in terms of seeking for a stable surrounding environment, eliminating "China threat" to ease pressure on diplomatic security, suppressing "Taiwan independence" forces, expanding international influence and other aspects of the Forum. Focus of the article follows: First, the process of China's participation in many diplomatic activities among two tracks; Second, to elaborate success or failure by China on specific issues such as establishment of secure trust, problem of South China Sea, Taiwan issue; Third, it gives some practical policy recommendations on these challenges. Finally, it demonstrates China's previous claims on development of ARF; and by coupling with "ARF 2020 Vision Statement", it predicts China's positions on future development of ARF from three perspectives.