Is diplomacy between the U.S. and China all for show?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 11:25:44 -0400

I could not help but smile when I read this (especially the part about Military to Military contact), "Since then, the two governments have set about implementing the stated objectives. Top American and Chinese officials have exchanged visits and institutionalized their exchanges on major strategic and economic issues. Military-to-military contacts have been restarted, opening an important channel of communication. And at the unofficial level, so-called track-two groups have explored possible evolutions of the U.S.-Chinese relationship." I smiled because I thought to myself, yes they have, especially in reference to the military talking to each other in light of recent events.

Anyway the POTUS and China's President made a big show of cooperating with each other in the form of diplomacy to have better relations with each other, but this isn't the goal of either side. The U.S. wants to contain China, while China wants to exert it's influence and power in the world. How can we have diplomacy when each side's desire is the opposite of the other. Yes I know the saying about opposites attracting, however, if this attraction is going to be positive and have positive outcomes, is yet to be learned. The actions of our countries speak much louder than the words they are writing on paper and we're not acting like we want to compromise with each other. This isn't the way to reach a stable platform of relations with each other.

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/china/2012-03-01/future-us-chinese-relations

The Future of U.S.-Chinese Relations

Significant groups in both China and the United States claim that a contest for supremacy between the two countries is inevitable and perhaps already under way. They are wrong. Beijing and Washington may not, in the end, be able to transcend the forces pushing them toward conflict. But they owe it to themselves, and the world, to try.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Oct 27 at 2015 11:29 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 11:29:02 -0400

The problem is that every country wants to hold a "monopoly" of power in the world and wants to contain other nations. That is what I believe leads to conflicts. US - China relations are very economic, and can help each other with cooperation.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 11:29 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 11:29:18 -0400

China is trying to be the big fish in the pond and spreading its adolescent wings. THey still a little more to go before we or anyone else really takes them seriously.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Oct 27 at 2015 11:42 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 11:42:20 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Some opposites never attract,but stay in a constant state of conflict.IMO it is more political BS,same as it always has been.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 27 at 2015 11:53 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 11:53:39 -0400

There is certainly an image improvement goal for both e USA an the Peoples Republic of China CPT Private RallyPoint Member. Since they hold a fair amount of dollars and they have a positive trade balance [primarily by keeping their currency low] there is also a mutual economic component to the relations. We want to increase our trade with China in a manner which reminds me of the interdependence on European countries prior to WWI. I think this is a mistake.
Militarily since they are a significant power with influence on North Korea and serve as competition to Russia in the far east it makes sense to maintain communication with China but not to allow them to access our economic, military and scientific secrets.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 12:16 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 12:16:45 -0400

Is a game .... but just a very serious one ... with million of lives might be risking on how the game is being play out.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 27 at 2015 12:21 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 12:21:55 -0400

The real problem is the Chinese thing strategically for the next century or more, we think politically and change our minds every four years. I do not expect a shooting war with China ever, but the way they are progressing economically an militarily, despite the recent hiccup in their economy, it appears as if we are the ones compromising. Russia and the Chinese are locking up most of the global fossil fuels around the globe, while we are investing in wind and sun, that is where the action will be in the future.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Oct 27 at 2015 2:55 PM

LTC John Shaw — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 14:55:17 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I view this relationship like the US/Russian, two forces so large that we must work together.

Response by SSG Gene Carroll SR. made Oct 27 at 2015 4:07 PM

SSG Gene Carroll SR. — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 16:07:09 -0400

I'll be honest I don't know with this one, But I do feel they are tring to donate us the finances. They could call in all the monies owed to them and never fire a shot. witch they alread did to one country. But I pray God comes before all of this happens.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 27 at 2015 4:08 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 16:08:54 -0400

Of course not. We are talking about two nations economies that are almost completely dependant on each other. Relations are pretty important.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Oct 27 at 2015 8:01 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 20:01:20 -0400

From the Chinese perspective, yes. They want our money in the form of exports and they like the money we pump into their economy. They don't like us, our way of like etc (at least their leadership). They play nice but show the teeth regularly. Just today they issued a subtle threat about our naval ships coming to close to their man made island in the South China Sea and they are not messing around. Their continued military build up and projection of force in the region will be/is a threat to security in the APAC region.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Oct 28 at 2015 6:40 AM

SFC A.M. Drake — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 06:40:11 -0400

As I was reading this article. It brings to mind the "war" between Bobby Fisher and Boris Spassky over the World Chess Championship. Classic mental joust over the 64 squares, however what was not said and it can be stated in this case as well. Is all of the back door diplomacy going on about who has the biggest kahuna's!

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Oct 28 at 2015 8:50 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 08:50:07 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member We need to maintain a good relationship with China. It's for the good of mankind!