Northeast Asia Cooperation Dialogue 4

Beijing, China, 8–10 January 1996

Meeting Report

The meeting followed two NEACD study projects held in Tokyo and Beijing during November 1995, where one participant from each country closely examined two topics:

1. Mutual reassurance measures (MRMs): Specific activities designed to promote trust and confidence among the governments, militaries, and societies of Northeast Asia; and
2. Principles to guide relations among the states in Northeast Asia.

The MRM study project concluded that "MRMs are vital to the maintenance of peace and stability in a region that, while peaceful at present, has some uncertainties," suggesting that further study projects and parallel dialogues could become a part of the NEACD process. Dialogues on defense information sharing; arms control, export controls, and non-proliferation; communications networks; maritime safety and security; and natural disasters and emergency response would best be sponsored by appropriate expert organizations in the region, which NEACD participants can help identify. Conferences on economic issues and exchanges in non-security related areas also were endorsed as positive reassurance measures.

The principles study project reinforced the perspective that discussion of issues is often more valuable than concrete agreements in terms of improving understanding among countries. Two days of open, frank discussion regarding principles governing state-to-state relations in Northeast Asia provided ample opportunity to explore differences between nations. The study project participants were able to agree upon many standard principles, such as respect for sovereignty; free choice of political, cultural, and social systems; and a pledge to settle disputes peacefully. However, progressive principles such as promotion of cooperation on economic and transnational problems, and promotion of dialogue and information exchange on security matters were also endorsed. Discussed without agreement were statements of principles on human rights and the freedom of navigation of the seas, which helped participants understand why countries may disagree on these particular issues.

The two study projects presented their suggested options to the Beijing meeting. The participants, noting that MRMs are important to the maintenance of peace and stability and continued economic development in the region, agreed to the following general approach for MRMs in Northeast Asia:

• MRMs must be broad and comprehensive in concept, but focused in application. Civilian as well as military participants should come together in dialogues and discuss non-security as well as security issues.
• MRMs are aimed at improving state-to-state relations and expanding security and economic cooperation. MRMs will be pursued through discussions and be focused on increasing exchanges, promoting understanding, and eliminating misperceptions and hostility.
• MRM dialogues will be held in light of the interest and needs of all the participants, starting with easy ones and proceeding in a step-by-step manner.

The participants also concluded that discussion of economic issues can help promote mutual understanding in Northeast Asia. In that spirit, the group decided to organize a workshop that focuses on Northeast Asia energy problems and their security implications in conjunction with the next Dialogue.

Participants determined that principles are important in building the confidence among nations for promoting cooperation in this region and decided to have further discussion of principles at the next meeting of the Dialogue.

As significant as the discussions was the support for the NEACD process demonstrated by the governments of the host country (China) and the other participating countries. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated with the hosts, CIIS, on a flawlessly organized meeting at the Capital Hotel in Beijing. Government participation from the five countries represented, collectively, the highest-level participation since the beginning of the NEACD process. Government participants included officials active in the nascent stages of cooperation in APEC and the ASEAN Regional Forum, as well as officials actively involved in negotiations with North Korea under the Framework Agreement with the Korean Energy Development Organization.

The NEACD is a collective effort on the part of all its participants. While IGCC serves as the secretariat, decisions are made by consensus of the group. Each of the countries in turn hosts the meetings. Prior to the Beijing session, Dialogues were held in La Jolla, California, in 1993; Tokyo, Japan, in 1994; and Moscow, Russia, in 1995. All Dialogue members are hopeful that North Korean representatives, who participated in the founding meeting of NEACD but have been absent since then, will attend the Beijing session. The next NEACD meeting will be held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, in September 1996, immediately followed by the NEACD energy workshop.
*Government officials attend as individuals, not as representatives of their respective governments.

Agenda

Monday, 8 January

Tuesday, 9 January

Wednesday, 10 January

Participant List

Japan

People's Republic of China

Republic of Korea

Russia

United States

Presenters

Sponsoring Organizations

Mutual Reassurance Measures (MRM) Study Project

National Institute for Research Advancement (NIRA)
Tokyo, Japan, 18–19 November 1995

List of Participants