The Long Hand of History: Regional Cooperation in the 21st Century

Rila Mukherjee ()
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Rila Mukherjee: Centre for European Studies, Department of History, Jadavpur University, Calcutta, India

Society and Economy, 2006, vol. 28, issue 1, 61-79

Abstract: This essay tries to place the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) within the context of China's experiences with Central Asia. I argue that while this emphasis on Central Asia is new, we see, too, that the SCO's attempt to project Central Asia as an area of prime concern in global politics reveals China's historic obsession with this “near other”. I trace this obsession with Central Asia to Chinese foreign policy from the Song through the Yuan (Mongol) and Ming periods. In its history, China has always played off its northern border -symbolised by the Great Wall - against the maritime border which is, by its very nature, fluid and expansive. The SCO actually reveals once again China's fear perception of its northern border. History and memory cast long shadows, even in strategic studies which deny long-term trends in history. How long before China starts a similar exercise for the Indian Ocean, an exercise for which Shanghai has a locational advantage?

Keywords: Ming; SCO; security; Zheng He; energy; border; terrorism; Mongol (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006
Note: No research develops in isolation. Various individuals and institutions contributed to this essay although I alone am responsible for any inaccuracies that may be present. Among individuals I would like to thank Professor Andras Blahó, Chair, Department of World Economy, Corvinus University, Budapest; Prof. Jayanta Kumar Ray, Chairman, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute for Asian Studies, Calcutta; and Dr. Yang Biao of the Department of History, East China Normal University, Shanghai. Among institutions I acknowledge my debt to the libraries of East China Normal University, Shanghai and the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development, Chandigarh, India.
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