Op-Ed Contributors

For strategic China-US ties

By Yang Yi (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-02-16 07:55

Washington's 2011 National Military Strategy, unveiled by the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff and Navy Admiral Michael Mullen on Feb 8, is aimed at reshaping US forces and reflects the military's assessment of the future security environment and mission shifts.

The new strategy of the United States concentrates less on Iraq and Afghanistan and pays more attention to the Asia-Pacific region. That suggests the US will gradually end its military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan and shift its focus to Asia Pacific. Some media outlets say this shift in focus means the US will make greater efforts to address the rise of China, which could lead to confrontation between the two militaries. But I believe we should not come to such an arbitrary conclusion.

The China-US military relationship is an important part of their overall bilateral ties. Strategic positioning in the field of security is related to the development of the China-US military relationship as well as their overall bilateral ties.

During his state visit to the US in January, President Hu Jintao reached a broad agreement with US President Barack Obama to build a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. Hence, the two countries' military ties should serve this goal.

The US military strategy seeks a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship with China. To support this, US forces want deeper military-to-military ties with China. According to the strategy, US forces want to expand areas of mutual interest and benefits, improve understanding and reduce misconceptions. The US is ready to promote common interests through China's cooperation in countering piracy and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

No doubt, the strategy reflects America's strategic alertness against China in military matters. The US strategic priorities and interests will emanate increasingly from the Asia-Pacific region, and Washington will continue to monitor China's military developments carefully, work with Japan's Self-Defense Forces to improve its out-of-area operational capabilities, and focus attention and resources on Southeast and South Asia to help it maintain a sustainable and diversified presence and operational access in the region. Overtly or covertly, these strategic moves seem to target China.

In a sense, China-US military ties have become a "security dilemma". Because of China's rapid development and accelerated military modernization the US feels China will sooner or later pose a challenge to the US' hegemony in Asia Pacific and the world beyond.

No wonder the US is targeting China on almost every front - from its military buildup, adjustment and deployment to strengthening regional military alliances. The US moves make it seem that China's every move to modernize its military, including the Dong Feng 21D missile, the "aircraft carrier killer", and the J-20 stealth fighter, is aimed at the US.

Beijing pays great attention to Washington's strategic moves. As a result, both sides have to prepare for the worst. This is not helpful for China and the US in their attempts to improve their understanding and reduce their misconceptions. To strike a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, the two countries' militaries need to adapt to each other and emerge from the "security dilemma".

True, China needs to make efforts to proceed, but the crux lies in the strategic orientation of the US. As the only superpower, the US should bid goodbye to the Cold War mentality and share with China ways to address security challenges. China's military strength, especially the development of its navy, air force and strategic deterrent forces, should not be seen as a challenge or threat to the US.