US pledges to develop constructive relationship with China

WASHINGTON - In a new national security strategy unveiled last Friday, the Obama administration pledged to develop a "constructive" relationship with China that can benefit both peoples and promote security and prosperity in Asia and around the world.

"The United States welcomes the rise of a stable, peaceful, and prosperous China. We seek to develop a constructive relationship with China that delivers benefits for our two peoples and promotes security and prosperity in Asia and around the world," said the National Security Strategy issued by the White House.

The US will seek cooperation on shared regional and global challenges such as climate change, public health, economic growth, and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, according to the strategy.

"While there will be competition, we reject the inevitability of confrontation," it said, adding that Washington will manage competition "from a position of strength" while insisting that China uphold international rules and norms on issues ranging from maritime security to trade and human rights.

The Obama administration also expressed concern about China's military modernization and expanding presence in Asia, which it vowed to "closely monitor" while seeking ways to reduce the risk of misunderstanding or miscalculation.

The US has long accused China of "intimidating" its neighbors in resolving territorial disputes in East and South China Seas, warning about the risk of escalation and conflict.

But China has dismissed the accusation as groundless, while calling for peaceful resolution of the disputes through bilateral consultations and negotiations with related countries on the basis of respecting historic facts and international law so as to jointly maintain peace and stability in the region.

On another contentious issue of cybersecurity, the strategy said the US will "take necessary actions to protect our businesses and defend our networks against cyber-theft of trade secrets for commercial gain" by China.

China has repeatedly rejected the US accusation that it has been engaged in cyberattacks on US networks and stealing US trade secrets, citing that China itself is a victim of such attacks as it is in a disadvantaged position against the US in terms of information technology.