SSG discusses Japan-China relations, alternative dispute resolution
POSTED BY: Benny Valin
DATE POSTED: 2006-10-06
Japan-China relations and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) were the key topics of discussion during the 13th Strategic Studies Group (SSG) meeting held at the National Defense College of the Philippines on 10 October 2006.
Two SSG Fellows, namely, UP Asian Center Dean Dr Aileen San Pablo-Baviera and UP School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR) former Dean Dr Jose C Gatchalian presented on “Japan-China Relations: Problems, Prospects, and Implications for East Asian Community Building” and “Alternative Dispute Resolution,” respectively.
Dr Baviera said that while China and Japan “are indispensable pillars of prosperity and stability in East Asia, Sino-Japanese relations are characterized by mutual distrust despite growing interdependence.”
However, she added that “the recent state of Sino-Japanese relations should not be seen as an obstacle to future confidence-building and consensus-building efforts by the ASEAN + 3.”
She cautioned that “ASEAN should avoid taking sides in this rivalry, to avoid the risk of withdrawal by one or the other.”
Founded in 1967, the ASEAN or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. ASEAN + 3 brings together the 10 ASEAN member-countries and three East Asian countries, namely, China, Japan and South Korea.
“It will be preferable that they [China and Japan] cooperate and move toward the same direction, rather than compete for influence, which may in the process tug East Asia in opposite directions,” she stated.
On alternative dispute resolution, Dr Gatchalian said that “ADR can decrease formality in communication, which in turn may increase the chances of better communication and better relationship.”
He argued that in resolving disputes, one should focus on issues and not on personalities, on interests rather than positions.
“This is hard, especially in the Philippines where most people are either personality or position based,” he pointed out.
In negotiating, there is a need to set a specific timetable and parameters where both parties will work and communicate.
The NDCP is the government’s key educational institution for training and research on defense and security.
The SSG is composed of eminent academics and retired military officers representing a wide range of expertise to significantly contribute to policy formulation of the DND. SSG fellows meet once every three weeks to present security issues, discuss current events and draft policy recommendations.
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