Biden Wants US to Open Military Ties with China: National Security Advisor
President Biden Urges China to Restore Military Contacts
President Joe Biden is set to ask Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday to reinstate military-to-military contacts that were cut off last year, according to White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan. This comes after China rejected Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s request to resume these contacts in June. The severed ties were a result of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, which China saw as an endorsement of the self-governing island. President Biden believes that maintaining military communication is crucial for responsible competition and to prevent conflicts caused by mistakes or miscommunication.
“This is pretty representative of the Biden Administration’s approach to China—use meaningless phrases like ‘intensify communication’ to show they’re getting tough, but not really doing anything to call out the Marxist Leninist reality of the CCP.” - China Uncensored
Sullivan emphasized the importance of re-establishing military ties for national security and avoiding misunderstandings. The meeting between President Biden and President Xi is expected to take place during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. However, China has been resistant to resuming military dialogue with the US due to sanctions imposed on their Defense Minister and US intervention in the Taiwan issue. Despite these challenges, President Biden remains determined to pursue military-to-military cooperation with China.
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley has urged the Biden administration to take a tough stance against China, emphasizing the need to hold them accountable for various issues. However, China has expressed concerns about the US’s support for Taiwan and has been hesitant to offer guarantees to avoid conflicts.
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How might reinstating military contacts with China impact the United States’ long-term strategic interests?
During the Trump administration and other issues such as the Taiwan question and the South China Sea dispute.
The resumption of military-to-military contacts between the US and China has long been a topic of debate. Proponents argue that such communication channels are essential for managing potential crises and preventing miscalculations that could escalate into armed conflicts. They believe that maintaining open lines of communication can help build trust and establish clear understandings between the two nations. Furthermore, they argue that engaging with China at the military level can provide opportunities for dialogue on key issues such as arms control, cybersecurity, and regional stability.
However, critics caution against placing too much trust in China and argue that reinstating military contacts without crucial concessions would be counterproductive. They maintain that the Chinese Communist Party’s authoritarian regime cannot be relied upon to uphold international agreements or act in good faith. They assert that China’s actions in the South China Sea, its human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and its increasing assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait demonstrate a disregard for the rules-based international order. Critics argue that by pursuing military contacts without addressing these fundamental concerns, the United States risks validating China’s behavior and sacrificing its own long-term strategic interests.
President Biden’s push to restore military contacts with China represents a calculated approach to balancing engagement and competition with the world’s second-largest economy. The Biden administration recognizes the need to engage with China on critical issues such as climate change, public health, and nuclear nonproliferation. However, it also acknowledges the importance of addressing China’s problematic actions and defending the rule of law. President Biden’s message to President Xi Jinping underscores the United States’ commitment to responsible competition and its insistence on adhering to international norms and standards.
As the meeting between President Biden and President Xi approaches, the focus will be on whether China is willing to make concessions and demonstrate a genuine commitment to dialogue. The Biden administration will likely insist on reciprocity, urging China to match its willingness to engage with tangible steps towards resolving key issues. While the restoration of military contacts alone may not solve the myriad challenges in the US-China relationship, it can serve as a starting point for rebuilding trust and fostering greater understanding between the two nations. The outcome of the meeting will provide a crucial indication of China’s intentions and the potential for constructive dialogue in the future.
It is clear that the United States and China are at a crucial juncture in their relationship. The decisions made in the coming months will have far-reaching implications for global security, geopolitical dynamics, and the future of international cooperation. President Biden’s call for the restoration of military contacts with China sends a clear signal that the United States is committed to engaging with China while simultaneously defending its own interests and values. Only time will tell whether this approach will yield the desired results, but it is evident that the Biden administration is prepared to navigate the complexities of the US-China relationship with a calculated and pragmatic strategy.
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