After 60 years, China transformed into economic and military power
(From The Japan Times Oct. 2 issue)

60年で経済･軍事大国に成長した中国

Sixty years ago on Oct. 1, 1949, Chinese leader Mao Zedong announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. At the time, China was an impoverished country following years of military aggression by Japan, and civil war between the Communist Party and Kuomintang (Nationalist Party).

Economic reforms since 1978 have transformed China into a genuine economic and military power. It is hoped that China will shed narrow-minded nationalism, and use its considerable international influence responsibly and cooperatively.

It is predicted that China will become the world's No. 2 economy next year with its gross domestic product topping Japan's. China's foreign currency reserves are larger than any other country's. It's the biggest holder of U.S. bonds. The Chinese economy is growing nearly 8 percent annually, even amid the economic crisis.

The costs of China's economic growth include environmental disruption and wasteful use of natural resources. It and the United States are the two top greenhouse gas emitters, accounting for 40 percent of global emissions. Given its economic weight, China should accept its obligation to reduce its emissions. This would be of great help internationally in the fight against global warming.

The growth of the market economy in China has benefited mainly people close to the state and the ruling party. The gap between rich and poor has widened, leading to frequent riots, especially in the countryside. China faces the task of stamping out corruption, and equalizing distribution of economic fruits between urban and rural regions.

China's defense budget has undergone a double-digit increase for 21 straight years and it is eager to build an aircraft carrier. China should refrain from any move that other nations could perceive as a threat.

China saw large-scale riots by Tibetans last year and Uighurs this year. Respecting the rights of ethnic minorities and people in general at home will be the basis for China's becoming a trusted major power in the international community.

毛沢東が天安門で中華人民共和国の建国を宣言した1949年10月1日、中国は日本の軍事侵略や国民党との内戦を経た貧しい国だった。1978年の経済改革導入から富国強兵への道を歩んできた。今後は偏狭な国粋主義を捨て、大国としての責任を果たしてほしい。

外貨準備高や米国債保有残高が世界一、年間経済成長率約8％を誇る中国は、来年にもGDPで日本を超え世界2位の経済大国になりそうだ。

経済成長により、環境破壊と天然資源の浪費が深刻化している。温暖化ガス主要排出国としての削減義務も果たすべきだ。また、汚職を根絶し、経済的平等化を押し進めるべきだ。

防衛費は21年連続2桁増、空母建造にも意欲的だが、諸国の懸念を招く行為は控えてほしい。

昨年、今年とチベット自治区、新疆ウイグル自治区で暴動が続いた中国が国際的信頼を得るには、少数民族を含む国民の人権尊重が重要だ。