China joined the World Trade Organization on Dec. 11. Beijing immediately threatened to sue Japan in the trade organization over import restrictions on shiitake mushrooms.
It is becoming apparent that Beijing sees the WTO as a political tool as well as an economic grouping. Bringing a case forward should not only allow China to protect its economy a bit longer but also help it to isolate its two regional adversaries: Japan and India.
Expanded Chinese power would have dramatic consequences for East Asia, where Japan and India both act as substantial checks on Beijing's ambitions. If China uses the WTO to lessen their influence, Southeast Asian states such as Indonesia and Thailand could find it nearly impossible to remain beyond China's orbit.
Japan and China have been locked in a trade standoff since April, when Tokyo blocked several types of Chinese produce from its markets.
Many Asian states are concerned about what China's WTO membership will mean for them. But for historical reasons, such as Japanese aggression during World War II, most of them get along better with Beijing than with Tokyo. China's public trade spat strikes a chord across Asia.
Longer-term, China hopes to use the WTO to expand its ability to band weaker states together against its rivals. Beijing already touts itself as the representative of the developing world, a role traditionally held by India.
It is becoming apparent that Beijing sees the WTO as a political tool as well as an economic grouping. Bringing a case forward should not only allow China to protect its economy a bit longer but also help it to isolate its two regional adversaries: Japan and India.
Expanded Chinese power would have dramatic consequences for East Asia, where Japan and India both act as substantial checks on Beijing's ambitions. If China uses the WTO to lessen their influence, Southeast Asian states such as Indonesia and Thailand could find it nearly impossible to remain beyond China's orbit.
Japan and China have been locked in a trade standoff since April, when Tokyo blocked several types of Chinese produce from its markets.
Many Asian states are concerned about what China's WTO membership will mean for them. But for historical reasons, such as Japanese aggression during World War II, most of them get along better with Beijing than with Tokyo. China's public trade spat strikes a chord across Asia.
Longer-term, China hopes to use the WTO to expand its ability to band weaker states together against its rivals. Beijing already touts itself as the representative of the developing world, a role traditionally held by India.
