China-US relationship in 2015

3. "South China Sea Model"

The differences between China and the US on South China Sea are getting more acute. The US has stated that it does not take side on the issue of ownership on isles and reefs in South China Sea. But the freedom of navigation and over-flight in the area should be guaranteed. On the Chinese side, it does not see any problem with regard to the freedom of navigation and over-flight in South China Sea. We care more than any country about the freedom of navigation and over-flight in South China Sea. In 2014, China's foreign trade volume amounted to 4.3 trillion US dollars and 85% of the goods passed through the sea-lanes in South China Sea. This is the lifeline of China.

On Oct 27th 2015, American missile destroyer Lassen sailed within 12 nautical miles of Zhubi Reef and Meiji Reef. The Chinese side asked for dialogue with the US side on this subject by referring to the US-China Memorandum of Understanding on the Rules of Behavior for the Safety of Air and Maritime Encounters, signed in November 2014.

On Oct 29th, Admiral Wu Shengli, Commander of the Chinese Navy, had a video conference with American Navy's Chief of Operations Admiral John Richardson. Admiral Wu Shengli expressed serious concern about American warships' action and stressed the potentials that existed for China-US navies' collaboration in this part of the world. China and the US should play a positive role in preserving peace and stability in South China Sea.

On Nov 16th, Admiral Swift, Commander of the US Navy Pacific Fleet visited China and held talks with Admiral Wu Shengli. The American side expressed the wish that South China Sea issue would not affect US-China overall cooperation.

Some American scholars called these exchanges between China and the US on South China Sea as "South China Sea Model". This model has enabled the two sides to engage in dialogue and manage their differences.

China and the US, one a rising power and the other, an established superpower, are bound to have differences on security issues. What matters is that the two sides have a mechanism at their disposal to deal with differences. "South China Sea Model" provides such mechanism.

Looking down the road, we are aware that 2016 would be a complicated year for China-US relationship. The American presidential election campaign is unfolding in the US. I spent ten years in the US and I know presidential election campaign is always a big show. The candidates can say anything they deem useful for their campaign. In addition to that, Taiwan will have elections in January 2016. US Administration has decided to sell weapons worth of 1.83 billion US dollars to Taiwan. All these factors may make China-US relationship complicated in the coming year. I hope that the two sides, drawing on the positive experience of 2015, will do their best to navigate China-US relationship smoothly through the rough water. This relationship is so important for international peace and security in the 21st century that we cannot afford to let it drift.

Ambassador Wu Jianmin is a member of the Foreign Policy Advisory Group of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

 

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