The Chinese easily link this "humanitarian intervention" with their past and consider it as the tool that was often used by the advanced countries to conquer the so-called "barbarous ones" and imposed "civilized standards" on them. In fact, a lot of the so-called "humanitarian interventions" by powers have their clear political background or strategic interest, which are "no more than a cover, or a pretext for them."6 Many Chinese tend to believe that NATO's real concern is the strategic importance of the Balkans. As a matter of fact, NATO's military enforcement cannot save Kosovo's peace. As David Rohde has pointed out: "one year on, NATO's largest-ever military intervention appears to be creating a "new Kosovo" that is the polar opposite of the alliance's stated goals. The province remains widely corrupt, lawless, intolerant of both ethnic and political minorities, and a source of instability."7
The US-led NATO military action in the Balkans re-alarmed China that there is a real danger for its security. Looking around the region, China suspects a US regional strategy. Aside from its military presence and a strengthened US-Japan alliance, the US has increasingly expanded or strengthened its bilateral military ties with many countries surrounding China. China suspects that the US and its allies are "weaving the net" and containing it.
Of course, this does not mean that China will take an overall hostile or confrontational policy toward the US and its allies. As observed by Frank Chen, it will continue "to adhere to long term goals by giving top priority to developing the economy and, on the external front, will seek a cooperative relationship with the West."8 Indeed, China needs a long term peaceful environment to develop itself. China remembers well the lesson of the collapse of the former Soviet Union due to competing military superiority with the US, and adopting a confrontational strategy with the West. But China believes that it can play a positive role in checking US hegemony and in moving toward a fair international order.
Of course, It should be understood that the world has changed and the rules must be adjusted in order to reflect the new reality and meet the new requirements. As a matter of fact, China does not reject all kinds of intervention. What China insists is that the intervention must be based on rules and authorized by the UN Security Council. Any new role making must be done by the international community with full participation of the community members, rather than just a few countries. The "new interventionalism doctrine" cannot be taken for granted in dealing with international relations.
II Security Environment in East Asia
The East Asian security environment has been greatly transformed by the momentous regional and global changes since the Cold War. The greatest change brought about by the end of the Cold War was the collapse of the bipolar system and the transition toward a new one, which has also brought about a new security environment in East Asia. However, there are still some uncertainties, or even confrontational factors in the East Asian region.
