22.10.2006
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North Korean nuclear test
A test of Chinese hegemony
_ by Bob Gould
China has always been a country of diverse ethnic groups and races. They often refer to the 56 ethnic minorities. The largest ethnic group in China by far is the Han.
The Han are in the ascendancy at present. In the past when any of the other ethnicities was in the ascendancy the Han resisted their rule fiercely. Amongst the minorities that ruled China in the past were the Mongols (Menggu), the Tibetans (Zang) and the Jurchens (Nuzhen) or Manchus (Manzhouren).
The Jurchen entered China from the northern end of the Korean peninsula. Although they were the rulers of the time they became assimilated into Han society. Their descendants still living in northern Korea are regarded by the Chinese government as Chinese minorities. As such the lands that they have traditionally occupied are also regarded as a part of China.
While the Chinese government has been a long-time ally of North Korea they still regard the north of Korea as part of China. The detonation of a nuclear weapon by North Korea may be the catalyst for China to attempt to "regain" territory they regard as rightfully part of Greater China. China would like to see its self expanding its regional influence and will regard North Korea's actions as a serious threat to it's regional hegemony. Whether it can obtain international support for bringing North Korea under its "protection" is very doubtful given recent eye-witness accounts of the shooting of Tibetan refugees and other continuing human rights abuses.
India should also reconsider its recent moves towards closer cooperation with China. If China hasn't yet learnt to respect the human rights of its own minorities why should it suddenly start treating its neighbours differently?
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