CHIANG MAI, Thailand -- The recent turmoil in Sino-Japanese relations has caused anxiety in Thailand. People here would clearly prefer a calmer atmosphere between the two giant powers of East Asia, as their future is linked to both and they stand to lose if there is a collision. Many believe that the current war of words benefits neither.
This writer joins those who are concerned about the future of the embryonic Asian community and the format of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus Three (China, Japan and South Korea) if the row intensifies. If the two main pillars of such a dream shake with antagonism toward each other, how can they possibly provide the foundations for a harmonious broader community?
A certain degree of Japan-China rivalry is to be expected, but the current row and its potential aggravation are something more disturbing. At the risk of oversimplification, I would like to offer some personal insights on the substance of the disputes.