China's Approach to the Korean Nuclear Crisis

China’s overall approach to the Korean nuclear issue has four closely related elements: 1) the Korean peninsula has to be nuclear-weapon-free; 2) the nuclear problem has to be resolved through peaceful means; 3) peace and stability on the Korean peninsula should be maintained; and 4) North Korea’s security concerns should be resolved. These elements reflect China’s fundamental goals and interests on the peninsula.

This seminar will try to elaborate on China’s thinking and efforts to reconstitute Korean security. In contrast to its role in the 1993-94 nuclear crisis, China has been playing an active role in the most recent nuclear crisis since October 2002. This reflects Beijing’s new way of thinking about its international behavior as a responsible great power. This seminar will first analyze how Korean security is perceived and debated in China, and will then illuminate China’s policy practices concerning the Korean nuclear crisis, and analyze China’s plausible policy alternatives.

Xiao REN is Senior Fellow and Director of the Asia-Pacific Studies Department at Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS), China. His research concentrates on international relations of the Asia-Pacific, Northeast Asian security, and East Asian economic and security multilateralism. His op-eds appear in newspapers such as Wenhui Daily, Jiefang Daily, and Shanghai Evening Post. His recent publications include New Perspectives on International Relations Theory (2001) and U.S.-China-Japan Triangular Relationship (2002).

Before joining SIIS in 2002, he taught at Fudan University’s Department of International Politics (and later School of International Relations and Public Affairs). He studied in the University of Essex in England and also held research or teaching positions at the University of Turku, Finland; Nagoya University, Japan; and The George Washington University in Washington, DC. He received his PhD in political science from Fudan University in 1992.

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Free and open to the public. First-come, first-serve seating.

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East-West Center, UH Manoa

More Information
Kristin Uyemura, (808) 944-7725, uyemurak@eastwestcenter.org, http://www.eastwestcenter.org/events-ce-detail.asp?conf_ID=828

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