US and Chinese Defense Officials on Southeast Asia

Given the recent spate of territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas, Chinese strategists must be extremely suspicious of any US involvement in the region.  The US Pivot to Asia has already raised suspicions on the Mainland, and America’s cooperation with Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines are rather obvious ways of sending signals to China’s leaders: the US won’t be pushed out of Southeast Asia. 

While these disputes have yet to spin out of control, the US will need to craft its policy in the Asia-Pacific carefully.  For many years, American military leaders have been able to make commitments and declarations in the region at will.  While US naval superiority is still uncontested, China’s recent purchase of an aircraft carrier and construction of another mean that the stakes in these territorial disputes will get higher.  The days when the US could sail an aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait with impunity are fast disappearing. 

As evidenced by President Obama’s ‘Red Line’ over Syria’s chemical weapons, the US must choose its words carefully, lest it be held to its promises at the risk of ‘losing face’.  The US public was hardly welcoming of the president’s proposal for a ‘limited strike’ against Syria.  How much support can the American military expect when it wishes to engage Chinese forces over an uninhabited island in the East China Sea?

(Not a week after the talks, the US military responded to Vice-Secretary Wang’s warning against ‘getting involved in regional disputes’ by conducting joint military exercises with the Philippines in the South China Sea.)

China warns the US against plotting with Japan over the Diaoyu Islands

Last updated September 13^th, 2013, GMT 12:32 PM

The Vice-Chief of Staff of China’s People’s Liberation Army Wang Guanzhong warned the US against plotting with Japan

This week, China’s People’s Liberation Army warned the US against “supporting or plotting with” Japan and countries in the South China Sea that have disputed China’s national sovereignty, not allowing them to “do whatever they want”.

At the beginning of this week, the Vice-Chief of Staff of China’s People’s Liberation Army Wang Guanzhong met with the Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Defense Miller in Beijing, together chairing the 14^th China-US Department of Defense consultation.

On Friday, China’s Department of Defense released a statement describing Monday’s (the 9^th) meeting: “the meeting was conducted a frank, pragmatic, and constructive spirit, and had many positive results.

The China-US Department of Defense Meeting was established in 1997 as a mechanism for dialogue between China and the US, and is held in either China or the US.

Disputes in the East and South China Seas

China’s territorial dispute with the US’s ally Japan over the Diaoyu Islands (known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan) has been heating up continuously over the past few years.

One year ago, on September 11^th, the Japanese government bought the three islands that comprise the “Senkaku Islands” from a private owner, inciting much anger within China and triggering large-scale anti-Japanese protests.

In the South China Sea, China has disputes over territory and maritime sovereignty with the Philippines and Vietnam.  As the disputes have continued over the past few years, relations have become more and more tense.

America’s strategic pivot over the past few years, shifting its strategic attention to the Asia-Pacific, has caused much concern in China.

In addition, America has alliances with the Philippines and Japan; if one country is attacked, the others must make efforts to protect it.

A Third Party

With regards to the Diaoyu Islands and problems in the South China Sea, China’s Department of Defense Vice-Chief Wang Guangzhong stated: “China’s military will steadfastly protect our country’s sovereignty and safety, the integrity of its territory, and its maritime interests.  The Chinese government will always keep a restrained attitude, and enact measures that preserve the peace and stability of the region”.

Wang Guanzhong said the problems between China and its neighbors should not become problems between China and the US, that China does not wish for America to become a third party in these problems.

He warned that America should maintain a consistent position and policy, should not send the wrong signals, and should not support and plot with these countries and allow them to do whatever they want.

China’s Department of Defense press release stated that Secretary Miller reaffirmed that the US does not have an official policy or position on the sovereignty disputes, called for all sides to keep a restrained

At the start of this week, Miller stated after a press conference that he told Wang Guanzhong that the US does not support the use of military force, but the US has “treaties and obligations” with some of the countries involved in the disputes.

Miller stated that the US firmly believed that solutions to maritime disputes should not involve intimidation or the use of force.  With regards to the problems in the East and South China Seas, the US would like to remind China that it has treaties and obligations with some countries.

Strategic Adjustment

Vice-Secretary of the US Department of stated that America has treaties and obligations with some of China’s neighbors

With regards to the US’s strategic pivot, Wang Guanzhong stressed that in the midst of the US’s strategic adjustment in the Asia-Pacific, the US should use policies that help uphold the peace and stability of the region as a starting point, avoid the sudden outbreak of military conflict, always seek to solve problems through talks and cooperation, and work together with the countries of the region to uphold peace and stability.

Miller responded that the US has important interests in the Asia-Pacific, and the US wishes to work together with China in a positive manner.  The key to the strategy of ‘rebalancing’ in the Asia-Pacific is to establish positive relations with China, not to contain China.

The Taiwan Problem

With regards to Taiwan, Wang Guanzhong said that Taiwan is a core interest of China, and that China will never make any concessions on this issue.

Wang encouraged the US to look at the overall strategic situation in the world and the major changes that are occurring in relations between China and the US and cross-strait relations; the US should place importance on the China-US relationship, reconsider its policy on Taiwan, and uphold stability and development between both countries and both militaries.

Miller stated that will work with China to continue substantial and continuous dialogue, develop strong relationships between both militaries, and avoid the historical clash between powers and rising powers.  The US does not recognize the independence of Taiwan, welcomes cross-strait dialogue, and wishes for a peaceful solution to the Taiwan problem.

Both sides also exchanged views on North Korea, nuclear weapons, anti-missile systems, space, cyberspace, and other issues.

Author: Tian Geng / Editor Dong Yue
Chinese source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/china/2013/09/130913_china_us_military.shtml

Translated by: Paul Orner