Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
First, what will China do when it has achieved what Deng Xiaoping described as its
first priority of achieving an 'orderly rise' in economic and development terms? Deng is
reported to have said - and India agrees - that modernization needed 'two prerequisites
velopment goals have been achieved, will globalization have developed so far that China
continues with that orderly rise, or will it then want to settle scores with its neighbours?
The second problem is that likely differences over international oil and gas rights, access to
sea-lanes and river waters, and maybe other issues could be seen by China as affecting its
orderly economic development and modernization, and could therefore upset the equilibri-
um. Already there are the signs that it is moving on from another Deng dictum - 'hiding
strengths and biding time' - and will be asserting itself internationally.
There is nothing to suggest that the border issue, which lies at the heart of the current
differences, will be resolved any time soon. China will want to keep India on edge on the
mountain peaks and passes, and it will also continue to develop close economic and de-
fence relations in the neighbourhood. The best solution for India would be to keep talking
with Beijing without expecting any agreements, while also strengthening border defences,
improving liaison with Japan and other Asian countries, and watching out for King Gouji-
an mustering his armies.
Notes
'Chinese PM Wen Jiabao begins bumper Indian trade trip'
-
useful background here:
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, Wen Jiabao Addresses the Indian Council
of World Affairs,
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/topics/wenjiabaofangwenyinduhebjst/
'Wen: Patience needed to resolve boundary question', Xinhua News Agency,
ht-
Website
of
the
Embassy
of
the
Republic
of
India
in
Beijing,
China,
Jagat Mehta, speaking in Delhi at the launch of his book
The Tryst Betrayed
, Penguin
Viking, 2010
