China and Northeast Asian cooperation: The Economic-security Nexus

Abstract

Deepening economic interdependence is bringing about a change in China's perception of regional cooperation in East Asia. China's integration with the world economy in general and Asian economy in particular has greatly increased the productivity and efficiency in the country, leading to a more favorable attitude in Beijing toward regional integration. The costs associated with such developments are however also raising concerns that China must fully consider the possible negative side effects, such as trade dependence, growing economic disparity, and vertical division of regional labor structure among others while proceeding with regional economic integration. In contrast to its more positive policies in the economic front, Chinese response to the growing call in Asia for a multilateral regional security framework has been in the negative. Motivated by its fear of multilateral security dialogues complicating its efforts to solve territorial disputes through bilateral means, Beijing maintains there is no need for multilateralism, arguing that the best way to develop security cooperation in the region is through building and managing healthy bilateral relations. Amidst increasing incentives for cooperation with the deepening regional economic networks, it remains to be seen how such interdependence will further develop the as of now fragile regional security relations in the East Asian region.