Jan 08, 2016

Despite disorder in the world, China and the US are finding ways to minimize risks with their armed forces, while counter-terrorism and anti-piracy provide new opportunities for cooperation. While the bilateral relationship is intrinsically volatile and competitive, the two militaries have been remarkably adept at finding common protocols, even in contentious areas like the South China Sea.

Nov 24, 2015

Washington’s move to politicize this meeting simply reflects the growing frustration of a US that doesn’t know how to deal with China. This time it has taken a wrong approach to confront China at the wrong occasion. The result was not helpful in improving relations among the countries concerned.

Sep 14, 2015

While the legislation is used as a policy tool by the US and occasionally even China, its strategy has been overtaken by events. The act is out of date, impractical and prevents bilateral relations from developing on an even footing with more mutual trust.

Aug 20, 2015

Beyond search-and-rescue cooperation and crisis management, creating hotlines between China and the 10 ASEAN countries would carry a no less important symbolism: the consensus that the South China Sea issue is not an issue between them as a whole.

Jun 26, 2015

It is no surprise that China’s recent military white paper emphasizes “enhancing joint operational capabilities”. The first step of cooperation could be in military operations other than war.

May 21, 2015

Beijing’s celebration of the 70th anniversary of the end of world war is meant to project China as a peace-loving country determined to prevent such trauma from happening again. If the rise of China is the most important event in the 21 century, the message from the Tian’anmen Square parade is clear: The PLA can help to make the world a safer place.

Apr 21, 2015

China’s growing involvement in Sri Lanka and South Asia, drew Prime Minister Narendha Modi to visit Sri Lanka, the first for an Indian PM in 27 years. India’s utmost concern is security with China’s so-called “string of pearls” strategy, which though coined by a U.S. defense contractor, suspects China of building naval bases in the Indian Ocean. To ease tension, the two countries must accommodate each other’s maritime interests.

Feb 16, 2015

A Sino-American joint military exercise on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) to a typhoon-hit country was held in Haikou, Hainan Province. These cooperative exercises are still in the early phases; non-traditional threats such as counter-terrorism, peacekeeping and maritime security, are still institutionally, logistically, and legally lacking.

Jan 08, 2015

The most vulnerable part in Sino-US relations is military relations. The recent MOU between the two militaries is a great effort from both sides to “develop a new model of military-to-military relations”.

Nov 19, 2014

Zhou Bo posits that an essential component to improving frosty Japan-China relations is an equal commitment to develop shared maritime procedures, such as the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES). But first, the two sides need to agree upon a common Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).