Dear Defence Attache Class students,
Please submit your discussion result here.
Thank you.
February 6, 2009 at 4:43 am (DA Class)
Dear Defence Attache Class students,
Please submit your discussion result here.
Thank you.
Hilman Hadi said,
February 8, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Group : A
THE RISING CHINA AS LEADER OF ASIA
Transformation of power from West to East is obvious, moreover some assessments state that the domination of west will be declined as the rising of new power. The growing up of Asia, led by some new emerging powers can not be denied that it will play main roles on international interactive. Likewise Europe and Africa, it is the time for Asia to be unity under a strong leadership. China is posed to have more impact on the world over next 20 years than any other country as an alternate to lead Asia. The rational reasons could be considered to choose China as a leader of Asia by studying the opportunities and challenges faced by the country.
The rapid growth reached by China on any fields as well as possessing of abundant resources will open a wide chance to lead Asia. Firstly, the impressive growth of China’s economy by launching export oriented policy make the country the leading trading partner or one of the leading– trading partners of its Asian neighbors. Secondly, by allocating 4,3 % of GDP put China as the biggest expenditure for defense in Asia. Establishment of a professional military force equipped with modern weapons and doctrine was the last of the “Four Modernizations”. Reform of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which includes the strategic nuclear forces, army, navy, and air force, has demobilized millions of men and women and introduced modern methods in such areas as recruitment and manpower, strategy, and education and training. Thirdly, China is one of UN permanent member who has a vote. Fourthly, for centuries China stood as a leading civilization, and as the most populated in the world with 1.330.044 population is the potential of human resources. Finally, the country has adopted sophisticated technology that always in advanced among the Asian country.
The challenges of China as a leader of Asia can be addressed in some matters. Firstly, it mighty be opposed by some countries which have claim border issues with China. For example, Chinese nationalism and territorial claims underlined a tough Chinese position regarding its differences with Japan. Chinese diplomacy endeavored to play down Chinese territorial disputes in South-East Asia and with India, but clear differences remained unresolved. On balance, the continued disputes served as a drag on China’s efforts to improve its relations with these countries. The next is that the country has political system which can not be accepted by some Asian countries. The last is the alignment orientation by supporting North Korea becomes an obstacle for China to be pleased by countries in the region.
By comparing both opportunities and challenges that possessed by China, it will be more chance as the leader of Asia. Beside, the country has been identified as a rising or emerging economic and military superpower by academics and other experts, also receives continual coverage in the popular press of its potential superpower status.
1. Colonel Aang Suharlan
2. Lt Col Victor H Simatupang
3. Lt Col Erry Herman
4. Lt Col Hilman Hadi
Agus Rustandi said,
February 9, 2009 at 2:15 am
Who does have capability to lead Asian Union?
Asia is the world’s largest and most populous continent in the world. It covers 8.6% of the Earth’s total surface area and it has over four billion people. It is equal to 60% of the world’s current population. Asia consists of 47 nations, but the word “Asia” is often used colloquially to refer to people from Indian subcontinent or Eastern, Southern and Southeast Asia rather than other Asia groups which close to Middle East. Asia has a high diversity in culture, economic and political background. So, which nation has a capability to lead Asian Union, if it is any?
Asia has a potential power in many aspects. Although Asia has only the third largest nominal GDP of all continents, in GDP PPP, Asia is the number one in the world. As the most populous continent in the world, Asia should have huge military personnel. Therefore, Asia will gain a magnificent power, if all Asia nations agree to establish a union likes in Europe. Indeed, there will be some obstacles, which could interfere the goal. But prosperity and wealth for Asian may come true. If Asian Nation will be established, China is one of the most suitable candidates to be the leader, because of some rational reasons.
Within Asia Nations, China is the largest national economy, which for centuries China stood as a leading civilisation, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and science. China’s population is 1,330,044,544 which is the biggest in the world. China has almost half billion manpower available for military service. Meanwhile, China spent 4.3% of GDP in military expenditure or equal to more than US$ 61 billion or one fifth of European Union’s Military Expenditure.
Another important reason is veto right in the United Nations. This right gives China a possibility to protect Asian interest. Thus China has bargaining power position in international community. However, China’s leadership in Asian Union also will gain several obstacles especially from western countries, because of China’s ideology as communist country. It may threaten liberal nations. This rivalry may create second cold war.
To other Asian Union Nations, China ideology could cause political conflict. In many countries communism are enemy, which will endanger safety of nation. Brutalism, violence, revolt and human right abuse are typical communism method in maintaining power.
In conclusion, Union is possible in Asia continent. And if Asian Union established, regardless the obstacles and politics orientation, China is the most suitable candidate to be the leader. We believe that China’s politics orientation changed, having led Asian Union.
GROUP B
LT.COL NURCAHYANTO
LT.COL HOTMAN SAGALA
LT.COL AGUS RUSTANDI
Donny Ermawan said,
February 9, 2009 at 2:55 am
GROUP C
THE LEADER OF ASIAN
Asia is the world’s largest and most populous continent. It covers 8.6% of the Earth’s total surface area (or 29.9% of its land area) and is inhabited by over 4 billion people. It contains more than 60% of the world’s current human population living in 46 different states. These people share similar values and histories and could be organised politically or culturally to foster growing official interest in broader Asian concerns. Organising such a huge people and many countries require not only organisation but also leader in the region. As all Asian countries have an equal position in the region, it is quite practical to acknowledge an informal leader rather than appoint a fix formal leader. This essay will argue that People’s Republic of China (PRC) is considered to be a suitable informal leader in the region with regard of her privilege of having Right of Veto in the UN Security Council, her military and economic power.
PRC is the only Asian countries which has a Right of Veto in the UN Security Council. Having the Right of Veto enables PRC to prevent the adoption of any ‘substantive’ draft Council resolution, regardless of the level of international support for the draft. By appointing PRC as an informal leader of Asian, many Asian countries hopefully can derive benefit from this special right. Many countries in Asia can secure their national interest especially against western countries in the UN Security Council forum by having support from PRC. This would be simmilar to Israel has support from the US in the UN Security Council forum.
Secondly, PRC has the biggest military force in the region. In term of military man power, PRC has the biggest number of personnel not only in Asia but also in the world. In 2006, the number of PRC military man power was about 2,255 millions which was far bigger than the number of US military personnel (1,474 millions) or the number of Indian military personnel (1,325 millions/second in Asia). In term of military spending, PRC is the Asian country which has the biggest military spending. In 2005, PRC military expenditure was around US$ 80 billions. Such a high military spending was far higher than Japanese military spending (around US$ 44,7 billions/second in Asia) or South Korean one (around US$ 20,7 billions/third in Asia). Having a big military force makes PRC has a high bargaining position not only in the region but also in the world. This opportunity can be used by Asian countries in balancing the presence of the US military force in the region.
The third reason why PRC is considered to be an informal leader of Asian is that PRC has the biggest economic force in the region. In terms of GDP by purchasing power parity, PRC has the largest economy in Asia and the second largest economy in the world, followed by Japan and India as the world’s third and fourth largest economies respectively. In term of international trade, PRC is the largest trading power in the region and the world’s third largest one behind the US and Germany with a total international trade of US$2.18 trillion – US$1.22 trillion in exports (second in the world) and US$955.8 billion in imports (third in the world).
However, not every country in Asia will acknowledge PRC as a leader of Asia for various reasons. For example, Japan will not acknowledge the leadership of PRC in the region because she enjoys a closed relationship with the US. Another reason is that Japan and China also have a long standing rivalries and experienced series of war over several territories. Another issue which become a hindrance for some countries acknowledging PRC as a regional leader is her record in a human right. Since the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, the human rights issue of China has come to the forefront. Multiple sources, including the U.S. State Department’s annual PRC human rights reports, as well as studies from other groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented the PRC’s abuses of human rights in violation of internationally recognized norms. The issue of intelectual properties will also be the barrier for recognizing PRC as a regional leader. Although Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) have been acknowledged and protected in the PRC since 1979, the enforcement of protection of intellectual property rights is particularly difficult in the PRC.
In conclusion, many countries in Asia will choose PRC as an informal leader in the region. Some of the reasons are: PRC has the Right of Veto in the UN Security Council, PRC has the biggest military and economic force in the region. However, some countries will not acknowledge the leadership of PRC because of various issues such as rivalry, wicked history, human right and intelectual property violations.
Discussed by:
1. Colonel Donny Ermawan.
2. Colonel Fadjar Prasetyo.
3. Lieutenant Colonel Gamal Haryo Putro.
4. Lieutenant Colonel Hendrikus Joko Rianto.
englstds said,
February 12, 2009 at 1:17 am
Dear Sirs,
Thank you very much for sharing your opinion.
Interestingly, all of you have chosen China as the accepted leader in Asia.
Generally, your essay are not only well structured but also fruitful and confined.
Best Regards,
Yuline