Is China the regional power?

Since the economic reforms which started in 1978, the overall strength of China, which includes its economic power, military capabilities and political influence, has been increasing rapidly. Today China is the largest economy in Asia measured in Purchasing Power Parity and the second largest economy in Asia in term of exchange rates. If Russia is being considered a European nation, then China will be the only permanent member of the UN security council in Asia.

China's military is the largest in the world in term of number of soldiers, but a lot of its equipments are outdated compared to countries like United States and Russia. Its military budget is one of the highest in the world, but still much lower than the military budget of Japan.

Do you consider China to be the dominant nation in Asia when you count the three main factors: economic influence, political influence and military capabilities?

F40Racer said:

Since the economic reforms which started in 1978, the overall strength of China, which includes its economic power, military capabilities and political influence, has been increasing rapidly. Today China is the largest economy in Asia measured in Purchasing Power Parity and the second largest economy in Asia in term of exchange rates. If Russia is being considered a European nation, then China will be the only permanent member of the UN security council in Asia.

China's military is the largest in the world in term of number of soldiers, but a lot of its equipments are outdated compared to countries like United States and Russia. Its military budget is one of the highest in the world, but still much lower than the military budget of Japan.

Do you consider China to be the dominant nation in Asia when you count the three main factors: economic influence, political influence and military capabilities?

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according to the official number, china's military budget is approximately on par with that of japan's. it is definitely not much lower. yet, according to foreign estimates, its budge is much higher than japan's and is the second highest in the world only after the united states. a more accurrate number, imao, should be somewhere around the middle of the two estimates, which should also be higher than that of japan's.

F40Racer said:

Do you consider China to be the dominant nation in Asia when you count the three main factors: economic influence, political influence and military capabilities?

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Though it is not located in the region per sey, the United States is the dominant power in the region to this date. For nations in the region, I would say that Japan (a US ally) is still the dominant power...but I believe China is challenging Japan very strongly. In the next five to ten years, I expect China to challenge and overtake Japan in that role and then challenge the US for Western Pacific/Asian dominance.

From Wiki
Regional Power
A regional power is a term used in the field of international relations to describe a state with power and influence that allows it to have a certain element of control over its geographical region. Regional power can be considered very much as an interchangeable term, all regional powers are carriers of another position in the Power Hierarchy. If there are any major powers or superpowers in a region, they are automatically accepted as a regional power, even though their power and influence spreads well beyond the boundaries of their region (this can be seen with China in East Asia, India in South Asia and the United States in North America). There are some regions, like Oceania, that are considered middle powers. Most regions would only have one dominant regional power, with the remaining powers under its influence, however, in places like Europe, this is not always the case.

China is definitely the lead authority. Militarily, politically and economically, China has substantial control over Japan, South Korea, North Korea, and Taiwan.

Vlad Plasmius said:

China is definitely the lead authority. Militarily, politically and economically, China has substantial control over Japan, South Korea, North Korea, and Taiwan.

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Sorry, I disagree. What actual "control" does China have over any of these nations?

They have economic influence and a growing military influence...but Japan in particular can counter their Naval and Air Force with its own quite capably, and when you add Japan's principle ally, the US, it is clear that there is no "control".

Same economically. All of these nations are tied to the west, particulalry the United States, as is China, in a huge way economically. China does not control that side of the equation. They are a part of it, but they do not control it.

When you add the total economic might of the US, Japan, and South Korea, the heavier influence over regional issues is clearly still on the side of these allies IMHO as opposed to China.

Now, As I said earlier, both economically and militarily China is rapidly advancing and will challenge this over the next 5-10 years, but they are not there yet. Individually, at this point, in the region I would rate them:

1) US
2) Japan
3) China

I'd have to agree with Jeff. China does not have "control", as Vlad said, over Japan at all in those three areas. Influence and power is different from control, which implies dominance. Does China dominate Japan and South Korea? No chance.

coolstorm said:

according to the official number, china's military budget is approximately on par with that of japan's.

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Actually China's official numbers are lower - $35.3 billion compared to around $42 billion for Japn. Not that I believe them, of course. Even with SIPRI's projections China has overtaken Japan's spending.

I dont know about control, I mean how much control would America claim to have over Japan or South Korea?

I would not however underestimate China's Economic, Political and Diplomatic Influence in the Region, it is already strong in large areas of South East and Central Asia and growing quite rapidly.

The Chinese Economy is a huge engine of growth for the entire East Asian region, because China is such a huge country and touches directly on to so many other countries. This gives China influence which may appear disproportionate by some measures, which is why China's growth has affected so many other of countries in the region far more profoundly than has the its economically bigger neighbour Japan.

China's wealth represents a huge Carrot for its neighbours and its Military a formidable stick, it also the "giant next door". Such considerations tend to concentrate minds in circumstances where pressure is being applied by outside sources. China will always be there, whilst other more distant powers may always cut and run.

I think the reaction to those kind of considerations give a good indication as to the Influence of a Regional Power.

If you add in US military establishments around Asia, USA is still dominent. BUT, China is a force to be reckoned with and on my opinion, surpasses the power of any other country in Asia. Russia is indeed a Europian country so that is out of the question. China is not the lead authority of anyone. China does not want control over anything but their own territory. Saying something like that is insulting, Vlad. Japan on my opinion surpasses China only if you talk economy.

renmin said:

Japan on my opinion surpasses China only if you talk economy.

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I agree economically...but militarily I disagree. Clearly if you are talking about ground forces alone, China has the edge...but they have to get that ground power across oceans and keep it from being ravaged by air power. In this regard, in both those areas IMHO, Japan still has the edge.

China is coming of age in both areas though, and because of her massive potential in terms of production, which she is beginning to flex in the naval area now, she has every chance of overcoming those disadvantages over the next few years.