By Wang Yusheng (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-12-26 07:33

The following is the second part of a series on the complexities and trends in international relations over the past year.

Today, the democratization of international relations is parallel to the world's multi-polarization. The reason for this is that more countries are refusing to bow to unilateralism and the power politics of the United States.

The US has been under fire from the international community for its hegemony. Particularly in recent years, voices of the democratization of international relations have become louder, from allies of the US, as well as Latin America, the Middle East, Russia, and Central Asia.

First of all, they demand severing their submissive relations with the US and establishing a partnership based on equality. The Republic of Korea for example - a firm ally of the US - has reiterated time and again that it will play a balancing role in the Asia Pacific region. Moreover, it demands self-defense and building a partnership based on equality with the US.

Latin American countries are also trying to break away from US control. They oppose the interference of the US in their internal affairs and demand talks with it on the basis of equality. The same is true of Europe and the Middle East. Russia has firmly and resolutely demanded it wants equal partnership with the US.

Second, they demand collective security in a real sense. Many countries emphasize that they want to be equal players on security issues. One should take care of your own security but with regard to others as well.The United Nations should play a key role in major international issues or the issues should be resolved through dialogue and consultation by related parties.

In 1990, the US masterminded the so-called "Washington consensus", proposing 10 policies that guided the reform of Latin American economies.

While helping these countries redeem their "lost 10 years", the US intervened in their internal affairs. The US also demanded Latin American countries open the goods and capital market, loosen foreign exchange controls and practice a free market economy. However, instead of achieving miracles, the policies resulted in economic stagnation and created a lot of social problems in these countries.

Given that peace and development have become an international trend, countries have drawn bitter lessons in the course of development and are now trying to explore development modes that best suit their own conditions.

The author is a researcher of international relations based in Beijing

(China Daily 12/26/2007 page11)