The PLA at Home and Abroad - Strategic Studies Institute - U.S. Army

mons. In fact, the prospects for China to participate
further in the global maritime regime as a maritime
strategic stakeholder look better than ever, now that
Beijing increasingly has the capabilities to do so substantively.
202 The United States, in accordance with its
new maritime strategy, has welcomed China’s deployment
to the Gulf of Aden as an example of cooperation
that furthers international security under the concept
of Global Maritime Partnerships. Admiral Timothy
Keating, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, has
vowed to “work closely” with the Chinese task group,
and use the event as a potential “springboard for the
resumption of dialog between People’s Liberation
Army (PLA) forces and the U.S. Pacific Command
forces.” 203 In this sense, the Gulf of Aden, with no Chinese
territorial claims or EEZ to inflame tensions, may
offer a “safe strategic space” for U.S.-China confidence
building measures and the development of “habits” of
maritime cooperation. 204
Washington’s real security challenges in the Asia-
Pacific, for now, are fostering stability and development
while preventing transnational terrorism in
southwest Asia; preserving peace in the Taiwan Strait;
reassuring U.S. allies; and cooperating with China
and other nations to restrain North Korea’s reckless
brinksmanship. Beyond that, the United States and
China have considerable shared interests in maritime
security and prosperity. In the words of Sun Zi, they
are “crossing the river in the same boat, and should
help each other along the way” (同舟共济). There is a
lot the two great powers can accomplish together, if
both sides do their part. 205
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