By: Rahel-U
WASHINGTON– A US research group found out that China’s neighboring countries including Philippines and Vietnam are increasingly anxious that Beijing oceanic disagreements will lead to military conflicts.
According to a comprehensive study by the Pew Research Center, 62 percent of Chinese citizens are becoming worried that territorial disputes might trigger between China and its neighbors and could lead to an armed encounter. In a poll this year, 11 of Asian countries expressed their concerns on the territorial disputes between China and its neighbors may lead to military conflict.
A China Coast Guard ship (top) and a Philippine supply boat engage in a stand off as the Philippine boat attempts to reach the Second Thomas Shoal, a remote South China Sea a reef claimed by both countries. (AFP/Jay Directo)
Based on the Pew’s poll, Filipinos were most affected and worried now at 93 percent, followed by the Japanese at 85 percent, Vietnamese at 84 percent and South Koreans at 83 percent.
On the other hand, Beijing and Hanoi in particular are involved in an increasingly heated territorial issue which started when China’s positioning of a major oil rig in waters that was sued by Vietnam. Aside from that, there was also a tension seen between Japan and Philippines on the maritime claim. According to the Philippines, Beijing has taken unsuitable steps in the East and South China Seas, where claims of numerous island manacles disputes are involved.
The Philippines, Japan and Vietnam see China as the greatest danger, while the rest Asian nations like Indonesia, China, Malaysia and Pakistan consider the United States as the biggest danger.
As surveyed, Bangladesh, India and Thailand, see the United States as their greatest supporter and intercessor against any territorial abusive claim. The survey said that 40 percent of 44 nations said they believe the United States was the world’s present-day superpower. Meanwhile, the number percent who considered China as the leading superpower rose from 19 to 31 percent today compared to the percentage six years ago.
Fifty percent of survey respondents favored over and believe that China would in the long run to replace United States in that role while 32 percent who believe China would never do so.
Photo credit: channelnewsasia
