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

Pacific region that it “hedges” against a Beijing that
may in the future challenge U.S. regional preeminence.
This uncertainty is also found in the U.S. academic
community, as the recent debate between Professors
Robert S. Ross of Boston College and Aaron Friedberg
of Princeton University demonstrates. 77
Resolving this mutual apprehension is important,
for it involves more than the bilateral relationship extant
between the United States and China. In essence,
all of Asia is watching the dynamics of the Sino-American
relationship. Thus far, U.S. economic, political,
and military power has more than offset China’s
growing strengths, allowing all of Asia to gain from
the economic opportunities China provides. In short,
the United States has provided the security umbrella
under which Asia can engage China without undue
concern. As China’s military capabilities increase,
however, will Asia’s confidence in the American security
umbrella diminish? If it does, how should the
United States respond?
The United States should take advantage of the
realities recognized by Hu Jintao some 5 years ago.
First, as Hu Jintao’s speech demonstrates, Beijing fully
understands that to achieve its domestic development
goals, it must stay engaged with global affairs. Second,
Beijing fully understands that its military modernization
programs disturb all of Asia—not just the
United States. Third, Beijing recognizes that greater
military transparency is necessary to counteract Asia’s
concerns over what is emerging as a major change in
the regional balance of power. Fourth, Beijing needs
a stable security environment and has committed itself
to regional security cooperation and confidencebuilding
measures. The United States should therefore
systematically and deliberately build upon the com-
90