Japan Likely To Follow France In Recognition

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30368, 18 February 1964, Page 7

Japan Likely To Follow France In Recognition

(New Zealand Press Association)

TIMARU, Feb. 17. Japan’s expanding trade interests with Communist China appeared to indicate that she would soon emulate France and extend official recognition to the Peking regime, Professor William L. Holland, professor Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia, said in Timaru. Japan was beginning to assert its own influence and to be less under the wing of the United States. It was a factor that had impressed him when he was in the country recently, and one of the obvious signs, and one which was being overlooked internationally, was a readiness to follow the lead of France' with regard to Communist China. Professor Holland said that already a number of big economic deals, chiefly in the chemicals field, had been arranged between Japan and Communist China. There were indications that China was making a big effort to attract Japanese business, and that Japanese business circles favoured expanding their links with the Chinese. Communists. There was evidence that United States dominence of the Pacific was beginning to weaken, and with this was likely to evolve a more complicated set of internationalrelationships than existed at present, with Japan playing a more substantial part. There was, however, little indication that Japan would emerge again as a military Power. Its expansion would be economic. There ' was the fear, however, that if the economic situation in'Communist China were to improve that country would become even more aggressive than it was at present. Areas of Instability

Professor Holland said there were many more areas of instability .in Asia than there were in Europe, and the

transfer of tension to the East and to Africa had created a situation that was “quite explosive.”

South Vietnam had become a point of extreme danger. The Viet Cong had advanced beyond the guerrilla stage to a highly mobile force, strengthened with heavy military equipment, and provinces adjoining Saigon had become predominantly Communist.

“Unless the United Stated is prepared to send fairly substantial combat units into the area, there is likely to be a further increase in Communist control,” said Professor Holland. “In Malaya the situation is basically good, but there, is the danger of a long, disguised guerrilla warfare in Borneo. Nothing has emerged recently to give anyone encouragement that President Soekarno intends to be any more co-operative than he is at present.” New Zealand Influence

Commenting on New Zealand influence in Pacific and South-east Asian areas, Professor Holland said that until direct action had been taken outside S.E.A.T.O. and the Commonwealth plan, the Dominion could not emerge as a separate entity in the minds of the Asian people. Its efforts were clouded by the overwhelming role the United States had had in Asian and Pacific development.

“I would like to see far more distinctive New Zealand action in the economic and technical fields, moves whichwould give it a distinct link in the minds of the Asian people. I feel that a programme focussed on a particular . institution ■ in . Malaysia, India or Pakistan, and maintained over a period of years would aid in its recognition there by the people as a separate and worth while contribution to their economy and welfare.” Professor Holland suggested that New Zealand should consider the endowment of a chair at a university in a particular field of technology, or a scholarship or visiting professorship extending over a number of years,-