Asia-Pacific
Joint drill a pressure tactic, says expert
By Li Xiaokun (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-07-09 09:31
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Beijing - Repeatedly delaying in a joint military drill between the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) is a strong-arm tactic, an political expert said on Thursday.
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Shi Yinhong, a senior scholar on international relations with Beijing-based Renmin University of China, said that countries including the US and the ROK are pushing for a vote inside the 15-member Security Council for a more stringent resolution of condemnation against Pyongyang.
"They are putting off the exercise to force China to cooperate," Shi said.
The Chinese government and military have fiercely protested the anti-submarine drill, which reportedly involves a US aircraft carrier and nuclear submarines that military experts warn would pose great threats to China.
Seoul "will conduct the drills by linking them to the result" of possible UN Security Council action against Pyongyang, said Colonel Lee Bung-woo, a spokesman for the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff.
He did not elaborate on the timing and scale of the drill off the ROK's western coast. The exercises were originally scheduled for June.
Seoul's announcement came days after China held live-fire drills off its eastern coast in what was seen as a response to the planned US-ROK naval exercises.
Pyongyang has denied involvement in the sinking, while Beijing and Moscow have asked for thorough inspection into the case before drawing a conclusion.
On Tuesday, the DPRK Foreign Ministry repeated Pyongyang's demand that its own investigators be permitted to go to the ROK to verify the result of an international investigation led by Seoul. Seoul has rejected the request.
"So far China and Russia are the countries most unwilling to vote for such a resolution of condemnation. But they will damage their international images if they stand out as the only countries using their veto power," Shi said.
"By linking the drill to the result of UN action, Seoul is suggesting it is likely to stop the drill or shrink its size, such as by removing the sensitive aircraft carrier and nuclear submarines, or even, as some media predicted, by moving it to the east coast of the ROK if China cooperates with them on the UN resolution," Shi said.
But Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Thursday that there is no change in China's position on the Cheonan incident.
"We hope relevant parties keep calm and restrained and do not do things that will escalate regional tensions."
Pyongyang warned on Wednesday of a "do-or-die" battle if the UN Security Council adopts a statement condemning it.
Ma Liyao contributed to the story.