BEIJING: After taking some of the sting from tensions with Washington, China is now likely to focus on doing the same with Asian neighbors unnerved by its push on disputes and yet drawn into its economic orbit. During President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States last week, he sought to soothe angst about China's trade surplus and growing power by asserting that his nation brought jobs and profits to US companies coping with tepid domestic growth. In recent months, Chinese leaders have also sought to promote their country as a source of growth for others that are keen for trade and investment but worried about the influence and growing pushiness of the world's second-biggest economy. That message is likely to dominate Beijing's diplomatic stagecraft this year, especially in Asia, where China's trade footprint is biggest and yet its ambitions, territorial claims and military reach trigger the most volatile tensions. “The easing of China-US tensions with the Hu-Obama summit will help China focus now on improving ties with its neighbors,” said Zhu Feng, a professor of international relations at Peking University. “China understands that its trade and economic ties are an important part of exercising influence,” said Zhu. “They can help other countries realize they have bonds with China that cannot be shaken.” Beijing will “enhance dialogue and exchanges with neighboring countries, strengthening bonds of interest with them and consolidating a basis in public opinion and society for mutual friendship,” Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi recently wrote in International Studies, a Chinese-language journal, setting out his government's diplomatic agenda. In plainer words, expect visiting Chinese leaders to use summits and regional gatherings to play down tensions and talk up deals, yuan currency arrangements and investments, even if some are more real than others. Maritime disputes and security strains will not go away, but they are likely to be more muted than in 2010. China's diplomatic sales pitch will nonetheless encounter more skepticism in Asia after a succession of quarrels with neighbours, some with industries that see China more as a daunting competitor than an opportunity. China is no newcomer to sweetening foreign policy with talk of “win-win” economic cooperation. But Beijing knows such words carry more weight now, with many advanced economies beset by debt worries and tepid growth, and developing economies looking more to each other for markets.
