Is the U.S. seeking to contain China - Research Paper Example

It remains far behind on innovations and development of new technology for advanced weaponry but even then it succeeds in catching up fast with advancements. US maintain first rank as per military spending with 740 billion dollars as compared to China’s 106 billion dollars (“China Military Budget Tops $100bn” 2). This difference ensures US lead in innovation and advanced strategic weapons which in turn protects the national interest and maintains influence. China has a long way to go to take a lead in military hardware; it is even taking technology for its aerospace industry from Russia.

But, with its growing capacity to catch up makes it a contender for a rising new military power. Military capability has conventionally been an indicator of a country’s influence in a region. Chinese military requirements have mainly been offshore defense and its military keeps up with this requirement easily, however, the development projects of fifth generation stealth fighters and an aircraft carrier demonstrate its ambition for advanced weaponry and perhaps world influence. Containment strategy typically involves surrounding a target country with allies and placing strategic assets to keep physical presence directly or indirectly.

If we analyze a decade of policies by the US we do find a pattern indicating containment strategies aimed at China. According to the Washington Post, “Chinas rise is a significant factor in the Obama administrations moves to strengthen ties with traditional allies, such as South Korea and Japan, as well as with Malaysia and Laos and even with Vietnam, a former foe” (Pomfret 1). Similarly, Bush administration started improving ties with India which even involved nuclear cooperation projects.

India has long been an adversary to China with military inclination towards Russia. The pacts with these countries indicate a policy to contain China with a group of allies. The pattern is similar to formation of NATO in order to contain