The conductor: At the opening ceremony for the U.S.-China Strategic
and Economic Dialogue, Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton introduces
an unnamed U.S. official to
China's State Councilor Dai Bingguo. Tense
circumstances due to
the case of Chen Guangcheng have put all her
diplomatic skills
to the test.
Lack of Mutual Sino-U.S. Military Trust a Major Threat
Is Washington
encouraging the Philippines and Vietnam to challenge China’s territorial claims
in the South China Sea? In this editorial from the Global Times,
which reads like a summary of what the U.S. and China have been discussing since
Friday, Beijing warns the U.S. not to try to make up for its economic weakness
with what it regards as foolish military adventurism.
The China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue pertaining to military cooperation and the visit by China Defense Minister Liang Guanglie to America are important events for military exchanges between the countries. These will create a certain degree of relaxation and ease their long-running military confrontation. Such an atmosphere is essential to improving ties, as it reduces the damage and the significance of the friction over specific matters. [reference to controversy over Chen Guangcheng].
Military trust should be amassed by resolving disputes over
China's sea territory [reference to the South China Sea], and through a process
of boosting mutual understanding and adapting to circumstances as they arise.
This will help build a foundation for the two nations to avoid misinterpreting military
maneuvers by the other.
Thus, both nations must have a clear and accurate understanding
of one another. It is unwise for the United States to look down on China as a mere
land force that can only play a limited regional role. Because China has
interests around the world, it is essential for its military to extend its reach
further. Neither should China view the presence of the U.S. military in Asia as
illegal or ignore America’s special influence over global security. China must
accept the truth that the U.S. is an essential power in the region.
The objective of achieving mutual military trust will never
be reached if China seeks to squeeze the United States out to lead Asia on its
own, nor if the U.S. seeks to constrain the rise in China's military strength.
Luckily, neither Beijing nor Washington has such aims.
Now, as their interests and objectives overlap, each country
is in a defensive crouch in relation to the other, giving an opening to brief
confrontations. Since the United States has announced its return to Asia, the
respective bottom lines of both nations concerning the South China Sea have come
close to clashing.
Although analysts still see the possibility of a military
conflict in the South China Sea as slim, once the two sides enter into an arms
race and making displays of military strength, all efforts to build mutual
trust will be ruined.
Competing
territorial claims in the South China Sea: China sees
the
United States meddling, whereas other nations in the region
regard
the U.S. as playing a balancing role.
Related posts:
Tensions in South China Sea: US won't take sides, US-Philippines Naval drills, students attack US embassy
Who owns the South China Sea islets in the eyes of the world?
China's warns US of Confrontation over South China Sea
South China Sea Islands Dispute; US won't take sides
3 comments:
Right, US has trust deficits with China, not only in trade and commerce, but also in politics and military, still with the Cold War mentality.
Main causes of America's decline: still in 19th century Cold War mentality in the 21st century; American human rights and protectionism, etc.
Five myths about America’s decline – John Malcolm
http://johnmalcolm.me/2012/05/06/five-myths-about-americas-decline/
Post a Comment