Washington and Beijing, Why Not Join Hands in the Face of Regional Conflicts?

As a constructive act in U.S.-Sino relations, the U.S. recognizes the importance of cooperation and communication with China on important global issues, since consensus on key issues paves the way for sound relations between the two sides. Within a special period after the financial crisis, Washington’s dedication to Asian affairs is one of its important attempts to maintain its international position, but it has to display a more positive and realistic attitude towards Beijing; and in return, Beijing should adopt a more flexible U.S. policy, taking Washington into account in the maintenance of Asian stability.

Constructive U.S.-Sino relations are tightly interwoven with the permanent stabilization of Asia, which requires contributions from the two sides, both the most influential countries in the world. But their relations are being tested with tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Both sides are supposed to make the necessary efforts to pacify countries involved. Until now the two have extended their concerns with the friction between South and North Korea, but the peninsula issues need to be considered for the sake of, rather than at the cost of, sound U.S.-Sino relations. China has made persistent efforts to ease the tensions on the peninsula, but, if necessary, it should suggest that it will have to adjust its assessment of the conditions when any country involved insists on its own way.

In measures taken toward Korean Peninsula issues, China must display its determination, and, more importantly, acquaint nations involved with the potential disasters which could result from any irresponsible act. In fact, on this issue, there are five questions that China has to answer:

1. Is China fully prepared for escalation of the conflicts?

2. Is China facing a regional or a strategic issue?

3. What does it mean to a long-term strategic mutual trust between China and the U.S.?

4. How do the Korean conflicts affect China’s overall diplomatic strategies?

5. For China, is there any alternative in the easing of regional tensions?

President Hu Jintao will pay a state visit to the U.S. next January, during which more pragmatic dialogues on global issues are necessary. The building of mutual trust, as a long-term goal in U.S.-Sino relations, requires the two countries to exchange opinions on regional conflicts; China, especially, is supposed to take the initiative.

There is a variety of potential unstable factors in Asia, so if triggered by nationalism and any provocative policy, conflicts will escalate. Instability and its possible consequences may break the balance in Asia and weaken the respective goals of all Asian nations in their economic development. Balance in Asia is all but guaranteed with joint efforts by the U.S. and China, with the support from other Asian countries.

The scale of Asian security needs also to be expanded, since a larger and safer Asian order is to the interests of both the U.S. and China. So the two sides should adopt policies against the background of Asian stability and security, and should endeavor to find common ground in adopting their respective policies.