米ＡＳＥＡＮ 南シナ海での狼藉に警告した

The Yomiuri Shimbun
U.S., ASEAN warn Beijing over outrageous actions in S. China Sea
米ＡＳＥＡＮ　南シナ海での狼藉に警告した

A message has been sent to China, which is attempting to turn the artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea into military strongholds, warning that its self-serving actions are unacceptable.
　南シナ海で人工島の軍事拠点化を図る中国に、独善的な行動は許されないとのメッセージを送ったということだろう。

U.S. President Barack Obama invited leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations for the first U.S.-ASEAN summit to be held in the United States.
　オバマ米大統領が東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）１０か国の首脳を招き、米国で初めて会議を開催した。

With the South China Sea in mind, a joint statement by the leaders set forth the importance of maintaining maritime security and safety by ensuring the right to the freedom of navigation, nonmilitarization and self-restraint. It avoided making pointed references to China but implicitly issued a warning regarding China’s outrageous behavior.
　共同声明では、南シナ海を念頭に、「航行の自由」の確保や非軍事化、行動の自制を通じて、海洋の安全を維持する重要性が明記された。名指しは避けたが、中国の狼藉ろうぜきへの警告を意味している。

One of the artificial islands China has built in the Spratly Islands reportedly contains a 3,000-meter-class runway and hangars for fighter jets.
　スプラトリー（南沙）諸島の中国の人工島には、３０００メートル級の滑走路や戦闘機用の格納庫が整備されたという。

Test flights were conducted on the island at the beginning of this year, and full-fledged operations of the runway are expected to start shortly.
今年初めに試験飛行が実施され、滑走路の本格運用が近く始まるとみられる。

China has also reportedly deployed an advanced surface-to-air missile system and a radar system on an island it effectively controls in the Paracel Islands.
　パラセル（西沙）諸島で中国が実効支配する島には、新型の地対空ミサイルとレーダーシステムが配備されたとも報じられた。

Viewing the United States as an “extra-regional state” in the South China Sea, China refuses to accept U.S. intervention in the region. China may be making too light of the situation, thinking that once it excludes U.S. influence from the region, it can make its maritime interests a fait accompli.
　中国は、米国を南シナ海の「域外国」と位置づけ、介入を拒んでいる。米国の影響力を排除すれば、海洋権益を既成事実化できると高をくくっているのだろう。

Yet the safety of sea lanes is a common good for the international community, including Japan.
　だが、海上交通路（シーレーン）の安全は、日本を含む国際社会共通の利益だ。

It was natural for Obama and ASEAN leaders to have announced in the joint statement the significance of “an international order where international rules and norms and the rights of all nations are upheld.”
オバマ氏とＡＳＥＡＮ首脳が、「すべての国の権利を保護する、ルールに基づいた国際秩序」の意義を共同声明で打ち出したのは当然である。

Regular sailings needed

Last October and in January this year, U.S. Navy vessels sailed close to disputed islands in the South China Sea, conducting patrols to concretely demonstrate the right to the freedom of navigation.
　米軍艦艇は昨年１０月と今年１月に、南シナ海で「航行の自由」を行動で示す巡視活動を行った。

At a press conference, Obama said the United States would “continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows,” clarifying again that the United States would continue its activities in the region. To deter China from taking provocative steps, it is essential for U.S. warships to sail there regularly.
　オバマ氏は記者会見で「国際法が許すところでは、どこでも実施し続ける」と述べ、活動継続を改めて明言した。中国の挑発を抑えるには、定期化が欠かせない。

The noticeable difference among ASEAN countries’ enthusiasm for holding China in check is a matter of concern. Such countries as Laos, the current ASEAN chair, and Cambodia have close economic ties with China. A situation in which ASEAN members become further divided in their positions, weakening the pressure they put on China, must be avoided.
　懸念されるのは、ＡＳＥＡＮ内の温度差が目立つことである。議長国ラオスやカンボジアなどは中国と経済関係が深い。ＡＳＥＡＮの分断が進み、対中圧力が弱まる事態は避けねばならない。

The United States is being called on to promote its rebalancing policy, which focuses on Asia, and to exercise strong leadership. Obama’s planned visit to Vietnam in May is part of such efforts.
　米国には「アジア重視」政策の推進と強い指導力が求められる。オバマ氏が５月にベトナムを訪問するのも、その一環となる。

Obama and ASEAN leaders at the summit also discussed the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade accord, participated in by 12 countries, including Japan and the United States.
　首脳会議では、日米など１２か国による環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）についても話し合われた。

Obama welcomed the participation of four ASEAN members, including Singapore, while expressing support for the remaining six, including Indonesia and Thailand, to join.
オバマ氏は、シンガポールなど４か国の参加を歓迎し、インドネシア、タイなど残る６か国の参加に向けた支援を表明した。

An expanded membership in the TPP accord, which strictly regulates trade and investment, would help restrain China, which is taking hegemonic actions in economic fields as well. Greater participation in the TPP by ASEAN member countries would also help vitalize Japan’s trade.
　高い水準の貿易・投資ルールを適用するＴＰＰの拡大は、経済面でも覇権的行動をとる中国への牽制けんせいになる。ＡＳＥＡＮからの参加国の増加は、日本の貿易活性化にもつながろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 18, 2016)