War Is Boring

by DAVID AXE

At War Is Boring, we are firm, but cautious, in our belief that China and the United States will end up as partners in providing pole-to-pole security for an increasingly globalized world. Already, the two nations’ militaries are evolving into complementary organizations, with the U.S. boasting the depth of experience, political will and logistical infrastructure for major, expeditionary combat operations — while China works to perfect a sophisticated “smart-power” capability, blending a tremendous capacity for infrastructure development, with great potential for boots-on-the-ground peacekeeping.

We’re not alone. U.S. strategist Tom Barnett long has called for a strong Sino-American alliance. So has former Navy Secretary John Lehman — and current Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who said, just two months ago, that “it is essential for the United States and China to find opportunities to cooperate wherever possible.” Sporadic clashes over maritime surveillance or arms sales to Taiwan, are but hiccups. Partnership is, rightly, the overall trend.

Many in China agree with us. China Military Report quotes Peng Guangqian, Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of the, uh, “China Policy Research Policy Committee”:

Sino-U.S. military relation is in the time to eliminate misunderstanding and enhance mutual trust, the stage to move forward. Sino-U.S. military relation should be the pillar of relations between the two countries, but it is a short board [sic] of a wooden barrel now.

Assuming “a board short of a wooden barrel” is the accurate translation of Peng’s assertion, we agree. It’s time to move forward. Let’s finish that wooden barrel.

(Art: China Military Report)

Related:
Chinese Soldiers Get Training from “Old Hunter”
Huge Chinese Heli-Carrier to Reinforce Giant, Submarine Aircraft Carrier
Chinese Blog Proposes Giant, Submarine Aircraft Carrier
China Fear-Mongering Raises Tensions
China’s “Game-Changing” Carrier-Killing Missile Incites Navy Panic
Navy Takes China Harassment in Stride
U.S.-Chinese Confrontation at Sea: Everybody Take a Deep Breath, Now
U.S. Struggles to Adapt to Chinese Economic Strategy
Ten Reasons Not to Worry about Six Chinese Carriers
(Pretend) Annual Report: Military Power of the United States of America
Military Balance with China Depends on Indian Carriers

Related posts:

1. UAE Buys Chinese Ground-Effect Planes
2. Contesting the American Military “Decline”
3. Imagining China’s Aircraft Carrier
4. China’s Future Combat Systems
5. China’s “Over-Bearing” Catamaran Flattop