Sino-American Scholars: Beijing Does Not Trust America

According to a Center for Naval Analyses report on April 3, Kenneth Lieberthal, an American academic, and Jisi Wang, Dean of the School of International Studies of Peking University, have released “Addressing U.S.-China Strategic Distrust.”

The report notes that, despite the fact that cross-strait relations have vastly improved, America’s arms sales to Taiwan and close range surveillance activities off the coast of China have deepened Beijing’s distrust of U.S. strategic intentions.

China has expressed that Washington’s recent focus on Asia has further contributed to a sense of threat and that America’s diplomatic stance in North Korea, Iran and Southeast Asian countries has increased China’s suspicions of U.S. intentions.

But the U.S. argues that the People’s Liberation Army’s apparent prioritized development of weapons systems have particularly targeted American platforms, contributing to its worries about the lack of transparency in China’s military plans and doctrines. In addition, the China-based cyber-attacks against the U.S. government, the military and the private sector have alarmed American officials.

U.S. intelligence officials also see increased evidence of Beijing’s “zero-sum game” thinking with regard to Sino-American issues and increased Chinese espionage efforts within the United States.

In the section, “Recommendations for Building Strategic Trust,” the narrative suggests that the top leaders from both countries develop a long-term and deep-level dialogue to discuss military deployments and normal operations that will allow China to defend its core security interests and also permit America to continue to meet its obligations to allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

Only then will there be the possible outcome of agreement on mutual restraint in deployment of destabilizing weapons, better understanding of long term possibilities on the Korean peninsula and improved mutual understanding regarding the overall security situation surrounding the Taiwan Strait.

According to Lieberthal, American officials think that after repeated communications, China’s intentions have become quite clear. More and more people believe that the friction between China and America will continue over the next fifteen years.

In the Chinese version of the report, which was issued on behalf of the Center for International and Strategic Studies of Peking University, Jisi Wang, quoting the Chinese view, thinks that in the long run China might eventually come out as the final winner in the Sino-American battle should America continue to be encumbered by its own domestic economy and politics.