U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer the USS Benfold arrived in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao on Monday, marking the first visit by a U.S. military ship to China since the South China Sea arbitration. This visit is believed to be a signal and an opportunity for both countries to ease tensions between them.
Before the arbitration award was announced, Washington deployed two aircraft carriers in and around the South China Sea, an obvious move to flex their muscles, pile pressure on China and encourage its allies. China responded in kind with a large military drill in the region and a routine combat patrol. Both countries have engaged with each other in a fierce tug of war.
This is not the whole picture of Sino-U.S. relations, not even their military relationship. Not long ago, the U.S. kept its invitation for China to participate in its Rim of the Pacific military exercise, which is mainly attended by its allies.
The Chinese shouldn't always push the USS Larson's provocations in the South China Sea into the limelight, nor can they easily turn over a new leaf with the U.S. as the USS Benfold came in peace. We shouldn't be tricked by a single gesture from Washington. Both China and the U.S. must admit that the undefined Sino-U.S. ties will continue being shaped in the future.
China and the U.S. are exercising more precautions against each other, and they should get used to the new developments, such as a limited arms race, and not having to take the other's defensive actions as unacceptable.
Throughout the history of human civilization, China and the U.S. have engaged in the most peaceful rivalry between an emerging power and an established power. The Chinese should know as a dominant powerhouse, the U.S. is relatively rational, and has not opted for harsh gambits. Washington also admits that China is a rational and careful emerging power, and pays enough respect to U.S. national interests.
However, both China and the U.S. still feel their own national security is being challenged by each other. Frankly speaking, China feels more insecure than the U.S. The U.S. doesn't have to overreact as for a long time to come, China won't be powerful enough to launch a showdown against the U.S.
China should speed up its military modernization and narrow the gap with the U.S. in military strength. The priority should be an increase in strategic military deterrence. The U.S. shouldn't see this as a hostile move. It must know that it cannot sustain an overwhelming military advantage over other countries forever. A strategic balance is essential to world peace in the nuclear age.
China has no plan to dominate Asia with its military prowess. What is happening in the East and South China Seas are simply territorial disputes, not a prelude for China to overturn the current world order.
China and the U.S. should nurture a strong awareness of risk control and strategic trust to ensure the incessant frictions won't become a real conflict.
Saber-rattling remarks do not mean both sides are ready for a war. Both sides must strive to avoid a military showdown. Whether they like it or not, they should respect the other's core national interests.
