米中戦略対話 世界の安定に責任を果たせ

The Yomiuri Shimbun July 17, 2013
China must act responsibly for sake of global stability
米中戦略対話　世界の安定に責任を果たせ（7月16日付・読売社説）

The fifth round of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue was held recently in Washington, D.C. For the stability of not only the Asia-Pacific region but also the entire world, it is vital that cabinet members of the world’s two largest economic powers hold talks to confirm the need for bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas, including diplomatic relations, national security and economic matters.
　米国の首都ワシントンで第５回米中戦略・経済対話が開かれた。
　世界第１位と２位の経済大国の閣僚が外交や安全保障、経済など幅広い分野で協調を確認することは、アジア太平洋地域のみならず世界の安定にとって極めて重要だ。

This was the first strategic and economic dialogue for the Chinese government under President Xi Jinping since it was launched earlier this year. Building on summit talks held last month, Washington and Beijing hope to deepen bilateral ties.
　中国の習近平政権にとっては、発足後初めて臨む戦略・経済対話となった。先の首脳会談を踏まえて、関係を一層深めたいとの思惑では、米中とも一致している。

Their agreements on drawing up an action plan to fight global warming and starting working-level talks for concluding a bilateral investment accord are positive results of the dialogue.
　地球温暖化防止の行動計画策定や、投資協定締結に向けた実質協議入りで合意したのは成果だ。

In step on North Korea

The two countries also shared the recognition that it is important for North Korea to take concrete steps to end its nuclear development program.
　北朝鮮の核問題でも、非核化へ北朝鮮が具体的措置を取ることの重要性で認識を共有した。

We hope China will not only urge Pyongyang to resume six-nation talks on its nuclear program, but also warn North Korea that sanctions against that country will not be eased unless it takes tangible steps to eliminate its existing nuclear weapons.
　中国は、北朝鮮に対し、６か国協議の再開を促すだけでなく、非核化へ動くまで制裁は緩めないとクギを刺してもらいたい。

However, the United States and China found little else on which their positions matched.
　米中の主張は、その他の分野ではかみ合わない点が目立った。

They have been at loggerheads over cybertheft. The United States condemned China’s actions of illicitly obtaining information of U.S. companies through cyber-attacks. Although both sides agreed to continue discussing the issue at working-level talks, they remain far apart.
　特に激しく対立したサイバー問題では、米国は、サイバー攻撃で米企業の情報を不正入手する中国の行為を強く非難した。作業部会で協議を継続することにはなったが、隔たりは依然大きい。

The Chinese side reiterated its previous assertions that it is also has been a victim of hacking. Yet as long as China only tries to avoid dealing with this problem, it does not deserve to be called a “responsible major power.”
　中国側は「我々も被害者だ」と従来の主張を繰り返した。問題を先送りにするだけなら、「責任ある大国」とは言えまい。

Territorial tussles

Territorial and maritime issues have also been a bugbear in U.S.-China relations.
　領土・海洋問題も対立事項だ。

During the dialogue, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden expressed concern and said the future of “the freedom of navigation” will depend on how China deals with territorial disputes with its neighboring countries.
バイデン米副大統領は、「航行の自由」の将来は、「中国が隣国との領土紛争にどう対応するかで決まる」と、懸念を表明した。

U.S. President Barack Obama, during his meeting at the White House with Chinese officials who attended the dialogue, also urged China to peacefully handle maritime territorial issues with its neighbors, rather than use threats or coercion.
　オバマ大統領も、戦略対話の出席者とホワイトハウスで面会した際、海洋を巡る近隣諸国との争いには威嚇や強制ではなく、平和的に対処するよう注文を付けた。

Chinese surveillance vessels have repeatedly entered Japanese waters around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. In January, a Chinese Navy vessel locked its fire-control radar onto a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer. China’s intimidation of the Philippines and Vietnam over islets in the South China Sea has been escalating.
　沖縄県・尖閣諸島周辺では、中国監視船の領海侵入が相次ぎ、１月には中国海軍のレーダー照射事件が起きた。南シナ海ではフィリピンやベトナムへの中国の威圧行動がエスカレートしている。

The Obama administration has attempted to strongly restrain China, which has threatened U.S. allies and their sea lanes, with intolerable acts of provocation.
　そうした目に余る挑発行為で、米国の同盟国や海上交通路（シーレーン）を脅かす中国を、オバマ政権が強く牽制(けんせい)したものだ。

Not to be outdone, China called on the United States not to meddle in territorial issues in the East China and South China seas. Beijing maintained its stance that it would resolutely defend its territory and that the disputes would be resolved properly through talks with the nations concerned.
　中国は逆に、東シナ海や南シナ海で介入しないよう米国に求めた。「断固として主権を守る。当事国が協議を通じて適切に解決する」との姿勢を崩さなかった。

As long as the Xi administration continues intimidating neighboring countries with shows of force and unilaterally pursues its “pivotal interests,” there will not be stability in the region.
　習政権が近隣諸国を力で威圧し、自国の「核心的利益」を一方的に追求する限り、地域の安定は望めない。

If China genuinely aims to build “a new type of relationship as major powers,” a relationship of coexistance on an equal footing with the United States, it needs to fulfill the responsibilities commensurate to such a power.
中国が米国と対等の共存関係である「新しいタイプの大国関係」を目指すのであれば、相応の責任を果たす必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 16, 2013)
（2013年7月16日01時37分  読売新聞）