How Can China and America’s Militaries Make Their Interaction More Amicable?

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will be visiting China on Jan. 9, 2011. This not only signals that Chinese and American military ties have returned to normal, but is also heavily influential towards encouraging Sino-U.S. relations to move in the direction of positive development.

At the beginning of 2010, America sold large quantities of military equipment to Taiwan. This seriously damaged Sino-U.S. relations, and especially damaged the political atmosphere of normal military relations between these two countries. It was not easy, but through cooperative efforts from both sides, their relationship has finally returned to the way it was prior to the arms sale. Gates’ visit this time can encourage better understanding between Sino-American troops and actively reduce misconceptions. However, it will be very difficult to solve the structural contradictions within Sino-U.S. military interactions in one go.

To encourage more amicable Sino-U.S. military ties, solving problems such as “fulfilling commitments, expanding cooperation, mutual tolerance, bilateral transparency, etc.” is necessary.

Fulfilling commitments is the political basis for maintaining Sino-U.S. relations; that is, fulfilling political commitments to each other. The three joint communiqués and the signed 2009 U.S.-China Joint Statement concretely reflect the political commitments made by both sides to strictly abide to the spirit of these four important documents. Both sides will also fulfill their political commitments through their actions and not just through their words. In addition, there is the commitment to not challenge or harm each other’s core interests in order to guarantee steady development in U.S.–China relations. This can also ensure that U.S.–China military relations are not affected by periodic conflicts. Currently, the main obstacles influencing U.S.–China military relations are: the U.S. persistently selling weapons to Taiwan, the U.S. Congress’ National Defense Authorization Act in 2000 that limits interactions between the two militaries and the frequent reconnaissance along China’s coasts by U.S. aircrafts and ships.

Expanding cooperation between the Chinese and U.S. militaries is working together to maintain regional and global safety, peace, stability and prosperity by implementing effective cooperative efforts. As the world’s top two economic entities, America and China’s common interests increase day by day. The areas of military cooperation and future prospects of military cooperation between these two countries are very extensive. Currently, the most urgent matter, which is also the easiest to implement, is working together to combat non-traditional security threats and challenges. Through fighting pirates, offering humanitarian aid and providing disaster relief, the U.S. and Chinese militaries not only can work together, but they can also complement and learn from each other. With the gradual maturity of these conditions, cooperation can expand to the realm of traditional safety, such as working together to maintain safety and smooth sailing on the high seas and managing and controlling regional crises, etc. Through strengthening their cooperation, the relationship between both militaries will slowly solidify and become more capable of withstanding trouble.

Mutual tolerance is admitting that neither side challenges the other’s reasonable and appropriate space and rights, which includes the development of military strength. China’s People’s Liberation Army is weak, and has no intention of challenging America’s regional and global military superiority. There are no strategic goals of becoming a regional military hegemony. The only purpose China has in modernizing their military strength is to protect their national security, interests and development of interests. At the same time they can provide safety as “public goods” for the international community. China is pursuing governmental policies that will allow them to be “harmonious, safe and prosperous neighbors” to surrounding countries. They have never and will never use military strength to bully the weak. The world, the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean are big enough to accommodate the development and operations of both Chinese and American militaries. Strengthening military-military communications at all levels, strengthening strategic trust and eradicating a zero-sum attitude can create a win-win situation for all.

Bilateral transparency is both sides showing the other that they have strategic plans to work together and not to challenge each other, rather than merely requiring the other side to show specific plans for development of military strength. The nature and mission of military forces is to prepare for the worst case scenario; however, a lack of transparent strategic developments and use of military strength will lead to a security dilemma situation.

Currently, the reason Chinese and American troops lack in strategic trust is because the U.S. possesses an incomparable, superior military that recently has been continually strengthening its alliances in the Asia-Pacific region, adjusting the deployment of military forces and repeatedly selling arms to Taiwan. At the same time, they are uniting all Western countries to implement a weapons and military technology embargo on China. This gives the impression that America views the PLA as a potential opponent that they need to be vigilant against. They are thus unwilling to see a strengthening of China’s military. Under these circumstances, how can we allow China’s army, which is under immense pressures, to become open-minded and more transparent? Despite this, China is continually improving the military’s transparency. For instance, they regularly publish their Defense White Papers, they have opened up their Department of Defense website, they have opened up new military facilities to visits from foreign military personnel, etc.

Henceforth, we can still do better. A more transparent, trusting and open Chinese military can better resolve concerns. If Sino-U.S. troops are to strengthen mutual strategic trust, then both militaries must push for friendlier interactions.