米中戦略対話 人権で摩擦の火種を残した

The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 8, 2012)
Human rights issue causes friction between U.S., China
米中戦略対話　人権で摩擦の火種を残した（5月6日付・読売社説）

The fourth round of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, held in Beijing, recently ended.
　北京で開かれていた第４回米中戦略・経済対話が閉幕した。

Ministers of the two countries discussed a range of issues such as diplomacy, security and the economy. In a joint statement, the countries vowed "to build a new model of bilateral relations in the 21st century."
　両国の閣僚が、外交や安全保障、経済など幅広い課題について話し合い、共同文書で、「２１世紀の新たな国家関係のモデルを構築する」との方針を確認した。

The United States and China, whose economic interdependence has deepened, reiterated they would aim to play an important role not only in addressing global economic issues but also in achieving peace and stability in the international community.
　経済的な相互依存関係を深める両国が、世界経済だけでなく、国際社会の平和と安定に重要な役割を果たしていくという決意を、改めて表明したものだ。

Shortly before the talks, however, a diplomatic standoff arose when blind Chinese rights activist Chen Guangcheng sought protection at the U.S. Embassy.
　だが、対話直前、中国の盲目の人権活動家、陳光誠氏の米国大使館駆け込み事件が起きた。

The United States and China gave the impression that they even attempted to resolve the issue during the talks to prevent it from harming their bilateral relationship.
　対話中も、米中は、事件が両国関係に影響を及ぼさぬよう、もっぱら事件の火消しに終始した感が強い。

But this case has highlighted the fact that the two countries have flashpoints over human rights issues in addition to diplomatic and military matters.
外交・軍事面は無論、人権問題でも火種を抱えていることを浮き彫りにしたと言える。

The diplomatic standoff is likely to end, as China has indicated it will allow Chen to leave the country to study in the United States.
　事件は、中国側が陳氏の留学目的での出国を認める方針を示し、米国留学で決着する見通しだ。

China is apparently aiming to fend off a growing domestic democracy movement by permitting Chen, who has become a symbol in the human rights movement, to leave China soon.
　中国には、人権問題の象徴となった陳氏を早期に出国させることで、国内の民主化運動の高まりを防ぐ狙いがあろう。

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Washington needs patience

The United States and China agreed to hold talks on human rights issues this summer. But Beijing, which has called foreign countries' references to human rights in China interference in its domestic affairs, is unlikely to change its attitude. The United States therefore needs to patiently urge China to improve its human rights situation without compromising easily.
　米中は、人権対話の今夏開催で合意した。国内人権状況への言及を「内政干渉」とはねつける中国の姿勢は変わるまい。米国は安易に妥協することなく、状況改善を地道に働きかける必要がある。

Issues concerning moves on the Korean Peninsula, such as prevention of an anticipated nuclear test by North Korea, and Iran's nuclear program--which were supposed to be the main focus of the talks--ended up being overshadowed by human rights. Such topics as North Korea and Iran were on the agenda, but the specifics of discussions on the matters are unknown.
　今回の対話の焦点だった北朝鮮の核実験阻止など朝鮮半島情勢や、イラン核問題への対応は、人権問題の陰に隠れる形となった。議題に取り上げられたものの、具体的な議論の内容は不明だ。

China and the United States, both permanent members of U.N. Security Council, should take the initiative in blocking North Korea from carrying out another nuclear test.
　国連安全保障理事会の常任理事国である両国は、率先して北朝鮮の核実験阻止に努めるべきだ。

During the dialogue, the United States and China also decided to inaugurate maritime safety talks this autumn as well as consultations on Asia-Pacific affairs in the second half of the year.
　今回の対話では、海洋安全対話を今秋初めて開催することや、アジア太平洋地域に関する協議を今年後半に開くことも決まった。

Disagreements between the two countries over the South China Sea are significant. The United States has called on China to maintain free navigation in the sea while Beijing has urged Washington to respect its "core national interests." Dispelling mutual distrust through a series of talks is vital for the two countries.
　南シナ海を巡っては、「航行の自由」を訴える米国と、自らの「核心的利益」として尊重を迫る中国の立場の隔たりが大きい。両国が一連の対話を通じて、不信感を緩和することが重要である。

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Dialogue has positive effect

Regarding the economy, the countries decided to resume negotiations on concluding an investment accord. China pressed the United States to ease regulations on high-tech exports to China. Washington agreed to look into Beijing's request, including the easing of such export control.
　経済問題では投資協定の交渉再開が決まった。中国がハイテク製品の対中輸出規制緩和を求めたのに対し、米国が検討に応じるなど合意点も少なくなかった。

This platform of economic dialogue appears to have had some positive effect in reducing economic frictions between the two countries.
経済摩擦の解消へ、対話は一定の効果を上げていると見てよい。

Meanwhile, ministerial-level economic talks between Japan and China have not been held since 2010, primarily due to Japan's political stalemate and China's objections over the Senkaku Islands issue. The Japanese government must restart and expand the talks as soon as possible.
　日中間では、日本の政局や尖閣諸島を巡る中国の反発などが原因で、閣僚級のハイレベル経済対話が２０１０年を最後に、開かれていない。対話を早期に再開し、拡大を図っていかねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 6, 2012)
（2012年5月6日01時15分 読売新聞）