OUTSIDERS' PERSPECTIVE ON CHINA'S POSSIBLE PARTICIPATION IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL MEDIATION ORGANIZATION-TOWARD PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS COEXISTENCE

Abstract

The proposed Asia-Pacific Regional Mediation Organization (hereinafter "ARMO') is to provide an alternative for Asia-Pacific countries to consider having their regional disputes being resolved within the regional in a friendly manner. China is the geographically and economically largest and politically most influential country in the region. The possible usage of ARMO facility by China should be a very important indicator to show the value of ARMO. This paper argues that the idea of resorting to mediation to settle regional disputes is in line with the tradition of Chinese society's preference of maintaining harmonious relations and with the Chinese foreign policy of Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The mediation mechanism can even help achieve prosperous coexistence among Asian economies. There are many good reasons for China to be part of the ARMO operation.