Chang, C. Y.

Abstract
Recently, China’s attitude towards the proposed neutrality of ASEAN  (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) seems to have changed from one of sympathy to one of active support.  This change also implies a fundamental alteration in China’s approach to Southeast Asia.  Before this change became obvious, some observers tended to believe that China’s stand on the issue of ASIAN’s neutrality could not be expected to move beyond one of sympathy because of its unwillingness or inability to offer effective guarantees for such neutrality.  For instance, the Singapore Prime Minister pointed out in 1973 that “China has expressed its support but it would first need to develop a blue water fleet to make such a guarantee meaningful”.  Some observers believed that China would prefer “Balance of Power” rather than the game of neutralization.  Some also speculated that the proposed neutrality could be favored as a divide to keep out Russian attempts to increase their influence in Southeast Asia.  But these conflicting views on China’s attitude on China’s attitude towards neutrality could not be settled at a time when China’s own attitude seemed uncertain.  Very recently, however, China took several initiatives to express itself clearly on the question of ASEAN’s proposed neutrality, and its attitude now appears to have become much more certain.  Therefore this is an appropriate time to review the issue.
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