中国とインド洋 影響力増大は地域の軍拡招く

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 3, 2013)
China's maritime strategy causing regional arms race
中国とインド洋　影響力増大は地域の軍拡招く（3月2日付・読売社説）

A recent move by China clearly signals that the incoming administration of Xi Jinping seeks to increase its influence in the Indian Ocean as part of its aim to become a maritime giant with massive naval strength.
　強大な海軍力を背景に「海洋強国」実現を目指す中国の習近平政権が、インド洋でも影響力の増大を図る姿勢を鮮明にしたと言えよう。

A state-run Chinese company has taken over the management of Gwadar Port in western Pakistan from a Singaporean firm. The port was built with Chinese government aid.
　中国の支援で建設されたパキスタン西部のグワダル港の運営権が、シンガポール系企業から中国の国有企業に移った。

Situated on the Arabian Sea in the northwestern Indian Ocean, the port is a strategic point near the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping lane from the Middle East to Asia.
　インド洋北西部のアラビア海に面したグワダル港は、中東からアジアへの石油輸送の要所ホルムズ海峡に近い戦略的要衝である。

In addition to seeking more control of the East and South China seas to develop marine resources, China is stepping up efforts to secure maritime interests such as Northern Sea Routes and sea lanes to the Middle East and Africa.
　中国は資源開発を念頭に東シナ海や南シナ海で「管轄」海域を拡大しようとする一方、北極海航路や中東、アフリカとの海上交通路（シーレーン）といった海洋権益の確保に躍起になっている。

The Chinese government has claimed that acquiring the management rights to Gwadar Port is part of its policy of economic cooperation. However, the company involved in the acquisition is a state-backed corporation--one that plays a role in implementing the country's national strategies.
　中国政府は、港の運営権取得は経済協力の一環だと言う。だが、運営に携わるのは国家戦略の一翼を担う中国の国有企業だ。

Concerns that China may eventually use the port for military purposes cannot be dispelled.
将来的な軍港化への懸念は拭えない。

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Worries over 'String of Pearls'

In addition to Gwadar, China has helped develop ports in other countries on the Indian Ocean, such as in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. A map of ports with Chinese involvement now looks like a necklace encircling India.
　中国はグワダル港をはじめ、バングラデシュやスリランカなどインド洋沿岸国で港湾整備を支援してきた。各港湾を結ぶとインドを囲む首飾りのように見える。

Calling the ports a "String of Pearls," the United States is keeping its eye on this and other attempts by China to increase its geopolitical influence.
　米国はこれを、海軍の外洋展開へ布石を打つ中国の「真珠の首飾り」戦略とみて注視している。

We believe India has reason to be concerned over Beijing's control of Gwadar Port.
　インドが中国のグワダル港運営に警戒を示したのは当然だ。

One alarming thing about China's desire to become a maritime power is that it has intensified the arms race in the region.
　問題は、中国の海洋強国化が地域の軍拡競争を煽(あお)る新たな要因となっていることにある。

Recently, India increased efforts to counter China's military buildup, such as by developing submarine-launched ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads and purchasing foreign-made fighter jets. However, these moves could also prompt action from Pakistan, which has an ongoing border dispute with India.
　インドは最近、核弾頭搭載可能な潜水艦発射弾道ミサイルの開発や外国製戦闘機の購入を進めるなど、中国の軍備増強に対抗する動きを本格化させている。それが、対印国境で緊張が続くパキスタンの対抗措置を招く恐れもある。

In the East China Sea, a Chinese naval vessel locked its fire-control radar on a Maritime Self-Defense Force ship earlier this year. The Chinese Navy's attitude has become increasingly provocative.
　東シナ海では中国海軍による海上自衛隊艦艇へのレーダー照射事件も起きた。中国海軍の高圧姿勢が際立っている。

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Cooperation with India is key

To deal with the regional instability caused by China's actions, Japan and the United States need to work together with India.
　地域を不安定化させる中国の動きに対処するため、日本は米国やインドと連携する必要がある。

In late January, Japan and India held their first-ever talks on maritime affairs. During the talks, the two countries agreed on the importance of ensuring freedom of the seas based on international law, as the seas are significantly important for the good of international society. We urge the two nations to deepen cooperation in many areas, including shipbuilding and port development.
　日印両国は１月末に海洋に関する初の対話を行い、「海洋が国際社会にとって極めて重要な公共財で、国際法に基づく自由を確保していくことが重要だ」との認識で一致した。造船や港湾整備など多方面で協力を深めるべきだ。

A safe Indian Ocean is also essential to Japan's economic growth.
　インド洋の安全確保は、日本の経済発展にも欠かせない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 2, 2013)
（2013年3月2日01時04分  読売新聞）