Biden Should Fulfill the Role Left by Other US Politicians

Not long after China set its East China Sea air defense identification zone, U.S. Vice President Biden embarked on his three-nation tour of East Asia. Because the timing is extremely sensitive, people are quick to wonder: What is the primary purpose of Biden’s visit to China? Might the East China Sea air defense identification zone become a central topic for U.S.-China debate? Is America taking this opportunity to support Japan? These questions have all become focal points for international public opinion.

A few days ago, two American B-52 jets flew through China’s air defense identification zone without prior notification, prompting much surprise and suspicion across the international community. Moreover, although many media reported that the U.S. government requested U.S. civil aviation to comply with China’s new stipulations, White House spokesperson Jay Carney publicly clarified this issue on Dec. 3: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has not issued any command that U.S. civil aviation abide by China’s demands.

Although Japan applauds this kind of hard-line approach, it makes China suspicious. During Biden’s China visit, will he come across as so unyielding? We believe that America’s China policy will not experience any change. America clearly knows that cooperation with China will bring it benefits, whereas if relations with China become hostile, the gains would not make up for the losses. Right now the U.S. is working hard to seek a balance in its relationship with China, so that its new rewards will not harm older interests.

One anonymous high-ranking White House official indicated that America’s China policy has not changed, that a balance must be obtained between cooperation and competition, and that while cooperation is expanding, the U.S. must state its position clearly whenever there is a disagreement with China.

According to a Dec. 4 report from a Japanese news agency, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and America’s Vice President Joe Biden carried out talks in Tokyo, responding to China’s air defense identification zone and reaching four points of consensus. On the surface, the U.S. and Japan’s united front will deal with China together; but in fact, when facing the proposals put forward by Abe, Biden exhibited a quality of ambiguity.

First, Japan hoped to issue a joint statement with the U.S., so that by manifesting U.S.-Japanese collaboration, they may contend with China’s alliance and friendship. But America refused. Second, Biden called on Japan to work toward easing tensions in its strained relationship with China, but he did not mention a word about wanting China to retract its air defense zone designation. Third, America is indicating that “it will in no way permit China to threaten the safety of the civil aviation passenger system,”* but will not preclude civil aviation companies’ submitting their flight plans on the Chinese government’s request.

In addition, Biden also indicated the need for Japan to establish crisis management mechanisms and channels for mutual communication with China, to prevent minor East China Sea incidents from escalating into major conflicts. It can be seen clearly that the U.S. is employing a two-pronged strategy: While supporting Japan, it is simultaneously planning to beat Prime Minister Abe into submission.

Therefore, “using both the carrot and the stick” is a crucial phrase for America’s current China policy. Although America is playing tough on the issue of the East China Sea air defense identification zone, its performance regarding other issues has in many ways been very mild. So, to say that Biden’s China visit is exerting pressure on China would be totally unreasonable. We know that the purpose of Biden’s visit is to implement the important points of consensus previously reached by U.S. and Chinese heads of state at the Annenberg Estate. This being the focus of long-term U.S.-Chinese interests, the East China Sea air defense identification zone cannot and should not affect the general situation. According to reports, yesterday’s “Xi-Biden Meeting” was an hour longer than originally planned, both sides sharing an evening meal together after the meeting. On convening for a second round of talks encompassing an even greater scope, both sides spoke publicly of developing a new kind of world power relationship between China and the U.S., but no concern was expressed about China’s establishment of the air defense identification zone. From this, we see that America can do nothing more than grasp a certain sense of propriety, as it should.

Furthermore, China’s most recent practices regarding safety mechanisms have been straightforward and upright, also well illustrating China’s own unwavering approach.

We hope that America can undertake its negotiator’s role in East Asia well, at the same time reminding its allies to mind their behavior, dissuade Japan, face reality and not retrogress with China excessively. At the same time, we also hope America can manage its own China policy, with more straightforward understanding: not saying one thing and doing another, or going so far as to seriously harm the relationship between the two world powers. Biden is well known for being in “the China School,” always advocating increased cooperation with China. His approach to America’s China policy is rather pragmatic, and he is rather admired by the Chinese, facilitating smooth communication. Therefore, we look forward to Biden’s fulfilling the positive role that other U.S. politicians find so hard to play, or the role that is simply lacking altogether.

*Editor's note: The original quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.