China-US ties crucial to peace in Asia-Pacific region

The Asia-Pacific region has recently become the focus of the world. The DPRK launched a satellite, the United States and the Philippines jointly conducted military drill, later China and Russia also made military exercises. And the Huangyan Island has further intensified the increasingly tense situation. During the special period, Liang Guanglie, the Chinese Defense Minister, began the first visit to the United States in nine years, which attracted worldwide attention.

With joint efforts, China-US defense ministers reached four consensuses on the future military mutual trust and cooperative relations on May 7. The four consensuses will build a framework for a new type of China-US military relations in the future. They are also the latest consensuses of the leaders of the two armies on the world's security situation and the China-US military powers.

Particularly, the two sides agreed that they will hold joint anti-piracy exercises in the Gulf of Aden in the second half of 2012. The dialogue, consensuses and cooperation have made China-US relations take a right step. It is also an important step on the road of building a new type of China-US military relations. Through the joint military exercises, China hopes that the two sides can further join hands to safeguard world peace and prosperity.

Since Chinese defense minister's previous visit to the United States nine years ago, both the situation of the world and Asia-Pacific region and the military power of the United States and China have undergone significant changes. On one hand, China's economy and society have made a rapid and smooth development; the modernization of the People's Liberation Army has made a great progress and China's comprehensive national power and international influence have been further strengthened. On the other hand, the world's peace and development are facing serious and complex security threats, such as the issue of non-proliferation, sharp deterioration of global climate and environment, regional instability and conflicts as well as international terrorism. The complexity and severity of these global issues are unprecedented, which are related to the common destiny of mankind and a test to the wisdom of all countries.

Moreover, the United States' "returning to Asia-Pacific" is more compelling. In January 2012, US Department of Defense announced a new report of national defense strategy, shifting its focus of strategy to the Asia-Pacific region. The strategic adjustment of the United States exacerbated the security situation in complicated East Asian region. Immediately, such voices as "China certainly will dominate the world once it becomes strong," "the United States is trying to curb the rise of China" and "some countries in Asia-Pacific regions will join hands with the United States to contain China" become even louder. Especially now, with the help of the United States, Philippines hopes to forcibly occupy the Huangyan Island of China and even plans to internationalize the dispute. The complicated situation brings new challenges to China, the United States and their military relations.

Some people said that the China-US economic and trade relations become increasingly close but their mutual trust on security does not increase and even shows "trust deficit." However, it does not mean that the Philippines and some other countries have chances to raise a rumpus in Asia-Pacific region. In fact, no ASEAN countries are willing to support the Philippines on the issue of Huangyan Island and even the United States shows a neutral attitude.

The Pacific region is wide enough to accommodate China, the United States and other countries. Based on equality and mutual respect, the two armies of China and the United States should expand consensuses and common interests, reduce frictions and mistrusts and join hands to assume a responsibility of a State for the regional peace, stability and prosperity. They should resort to dialogue to eliminate misjudgment, which is a historical trend. As long as China and the United States do not made a misjudgment to each other, the Asia-Pacific region will keep a long-term peace and stability.

As what the US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said, China and the United States cannot reach consensus on all issues. However, the dialogue between the two armies can guarantee both sides to avoid misunderstand and misjudgment, which may cause a crisis. Positive, cooperative and comprehensive bilateral relations are very necessary to the future security of the Asia-Pacific region and the two countries.