Is the U.S. Seeking to Contain China - Essay Example

Is the U.S. seeking to contain China? PRO: Yes, the U.S is seeking to contain China because … 1. China is building-up and constantly placing it military around the region of South Pacific 2. The creation of Chinese allies in and around the region who are keen on retain power 3. In the recent past the Chinese economic capacity has tremendously grown, this coupled with their exuberant expenditures on military force is raising eyebrows. 4. China and japans dispute over the islands to the south believed to be oil rich has been escalating amidst Chinas constant criticism of activities of the US in the region. 5. Ever increasing territorial disputes of China and her neighbours particularly Japan and Southeast Asian nations over resources in the South China Sea. CON: No, the U.S is not seeking to contain China because …. 1. The current economic crisis in America has led to budget cuts that affect even military spending such deployment of solders. 2. China s constant calls for the US to act in the interests of peace in the larger region rather than focus on one coutry. 3. The US should strike a balance between the need to work with Chinese government and its concerns about their policies. 4. China has accepted the United States as an Asia-Pacific nation that contributes to the peace, stability of the region. 5. Chinas sovereignty is being infringed. A significant number of lobby groups both in China and the U.S. claim that a supremacy contest between the two world economy leaders is inevitable. Much as this may or may not be the case the high tensions surrounding the relationship that the two countries share leaves a lot of speculations among world leaders. The United States has tried to destabilize the Chinese communist government for fears that it threatened the security of its non-communist neighbours. China is believed to be aggressive and power hungry. Over the years it has built-up its military force and deployed them massively in the region. Such moves are seen as a threat to the security and stability of the region and a deliberate attempt by china to assert its power over its neighbours. This action prompted the U.S to construct an off shore alliance with other military forces in the eastern and southern borders of China such as Japan and South Korea. The U.S also formed the SEATO and ANZUS treaties which linked up countries such as Thailand, Philippines, Australia and New Zealand as its allies in the period between 1949 and 1969. It maintained military bases in these regions and also went to the extent of encouraging them to refrain from entering into diplomatic ties with china. However, over the years the Chinese have managed to create a coalition with some of its neighbours who are dedicated to containing Chinese power. Notably these coalition partners include South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines all of whom previously were U.S allies. This in some circles can be viewed as a deliberate move by the Chinese government to move into the territory previously occupied by the Americans. Such moves are further fuelling tensions of the intentions of such a quest for power and dominance by China. Furthermore, the Chinese constant threats to Japan over the island dispute amid the already heightened tensions created by its military forces are not helping the situation. These islands called Diaoyo by the Chinese and Senkaku by the Japanese has ushered in a new rise to probable aggressions and security instability especially considering Chinas firm stand on the subject. These threats to Japan further escalated when the Chines targeted a Japanese ship with its weapons radar, a situation that did not go unmentioned when Japans prime minister issued a stern response terming that move as dangerous. An article that appeared in Chinas Daily, by Wang Xiaoxuan, confirmed that the territorial disputes were dangerous and needed prompt action from both parties. China has also been highly vocal criticizing the U.S. and its activities in the region. In 2009, the Chinese navy surrounded a surveillance ship of the U.S marines in the South China a situation that was defused in a quick move by both governments amid high speculations that China was simply testing the endurance of the U.S. government. In addition, Chines relations with its neighbours has also been strained by territorial disputes, particularly with Japan, but also with Southeast Asian nations that have competing claims over resources in the South China Sea. These territorial disputes with China and its neighbours took a dramatic twist when Philippines took china to a UN tribunal to challenge its claim to most of the south China Sea, this including even territory under the archipelago. According to Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario nearly all political and diplomatic avenues have been exhausted by The Philippines government to no avail. In a period of over two years, The Philippines and Vietnam have logged complains at Chinas increasing assertiveness in claiming territories that overlap those of Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan. These disputes mainly instigated by China can be considered as a move by china to flex its muscles and test its power in the region. Much as this is a plus in their achievements it threatens the economic stability in the region over and above the security issues that come along with such moves. On the other hand, the economic crisis currently being faced by United States will inevitably result in a reduction of military force and activity worldwide. Over the years, the country has seen a reasonable reduction in the number of exports and a huge increment in imports to sustain its economy. Furthermore, the high living standards maintained in this region are being supported by the massive debts and governments expenditures are ever on the rise. This huge budget deficit and debt have led the government to impose huge cuts on institutions including the military. The threat of reductions in the defence budget, the continuing military costs In the middle east and several other places in the world are a constant strain to the U.S. China has also time and time again called on the United States to act in the larger interest of regional peace and stability. Such a move generally viewed as an extended olive branch by the Chinese government in a bid to stop the focus currently on them and their policies. It can also be taken as a call to the world to view China as a peaceful nation that is interested in the regions stability. China wants the U.S. to be careful with its choice of words and actions, as getting involved in issues regarding the sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands may spark off a diplomatic row. Chinas vice president also asked the U.S. to refrain from doing anything that might escalate tensions or complicate the situation. The relationship among these two countries is complex and bears a lot of consequences both positive and negative to its citizens. According to the former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton it bears enormous consequences to both governments and they are committed to getting it right. While the two nations work together on many fronts, the differences they have are also clear as day including the U.S. desires to see the Chinese currency appreciate since it has vested interests within the region as well as the numerous criticisms on the human rights record that china has. At the same time, the Chinese government has constantly criticised US military activities in Asia. This year alone, Washington and Beijing have clashed over a number of issues including US arms sales to Taiwan and US Presidents meeting with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader. In this regard, the U.S. ought to strike a balance between the need to work with Beijing and its concerns about some Chinese policies. Another reason why the US should not seek to contain is because China has welcomed and accepted the United States as an Asia-Pacific nation that contributes stability in the region. The Chinese government has asserted their shared commitment to peace and prosperity in the region. This has prevailed for a long period according to China and should not be compromised by minor differences. The Chinese government also has highlighted the numerous joint ventures they undertake with Washington in a positive, comprehensive and cooperative relationship that is beneficial to their economies and should be maintained for the good of their citizens. These sentiments have been reiterated by the United States government when it stated that it welcomed a peaceful, successful and economically stable China that plays a greater role in world affairs and makes a positive contribution to the growth of world economies. Lastly if, the US government was to indeed succeed in containing China it will be compromising in the sovereignty of this country and the rights of the Chinese people will be infringed. The fact that the US has established military bases in regions surrounding China is in fact, a threat to peace in itself. Furthermore, China has made it clear time again that it will not tolerate the threat to its security and resources. The representation of foreign military presence at the Chinese gates can be viewed as a strategy or a skilfully choreographed way to penetrate its defence systems. In Light of the evidence, the United States should not seek to contain China. It will be counterproductive to both sides if the US insists on “enforcing” peace in the region by setting up a military base and even deploying soldiers. The Chinese economic capacity and resource has grown tremendously over the past decade, and the most logical conclusion is they need to have the military force to protect and grow and maintain such wealth. Furthermore, any signs of weakness in their defence would make them an easy target. Territorial disputes are bound to rise in any rich economy, and china is no exception, in addition the south China sea has a lot of untapped resource same to the islands in the dispute between Japan and China. If indeed the US wants to achieve peace in this region, it is no secret that containing china will not only be expensive but could also be catastrophic. For one, china will definitely retaliate and this would spark of war essentially compromising the peace US seeks. Second and most important judging from the already bitter sweet relationship the two governments currently entertain this move will open a Pandora’s box that neither parties are capable of handling. The world’s economy will be at risk especially considering it revolves mostly round these two regions. Notes 1. Norton Swartz and Jonathan Greenert, “Air-Sea Battle: Promoting Stability in an Era of Uncertainty,” The American Interest, Feb. 2012, www.the-american-interest.com/article.cfm?piece=1212 2. Ashton Carter, “The US Strategic Rebalance to Asia: A Defence Perspective,” Asia Society speech, August 1, 2012, www.defense.gov/speeches/speech.aspx?speechid=1715 3. Hillary Clinton, “America’s Pacific Century,” Foreign Policy, Nov. 2011, www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/10/11/americas_pacific_century 4. “Sustaining US Global Leadership: Priorities for the 21st Century,” US Department of Defence, January 2012, p. 2. 0 5. Robert Bickers, The Scramble of China: Foreign Devils and the Qing Empire, 1832-1913, Penguin paperback, 2012, for a recent well-researched assessment. 6. US Department of Defence, Quadrennial Defence Review Report 2001, Sept. 30, 2001, p.25. It describes the anti-access and area-denial that relates to a fundamental US strategic concept, deterring forward. It states that, “Deterrence in the future will continue to depend heavily upon the capability resident in forward stationed and forward deployed combat and expeditionary forces.” 7. Christain Le Miere, “America’s Pivot to Asia: The Naval Dimension,” Survival, Vol. 54, No 3, pp81-94 8. Mike McCarthy, “New Ships Will Account for Asia-Pacific Buildup, SECNAV Says,” Defence Daily, Mar. 9, 2012. 9. Dan Ikenson, “Soured U.S.-China Relationship Approaches Inflection Point” www.forbes.com/sites/danikenson/2013/01/29/reading-the-tea-leaves-on-u-s-china-economic-relations/2/ 10. Jake Tapper, “Seeking to Contain China, US to Establish Permanent Militery Presence Down Under” Nov 16, 2011 www.abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/11/us-to-establish-permanent-military-presence-down-under/ Works Cited Read More