(ASEAN) or other organizations, smaller
It is true that most East Asian states want
countries throughout East Asia should
Washington to stay, but the American people
develop a cooperative defense relationship
should not be expected to surrender more
with Australia, New Zealand, South Korea,
dollars and risk more lives to police East Asia
and especially Japan.
for whatever length of time friendly states
Tokyo could do much to improve region-
consider it convenient. Although it might be
al security. A measured military buildup,
in the interest of other nations for
focused on defensive weapons and conduct-
Washington to defend them--and what
ed in consultation with regional neighbors,
country would not naturally desire that the
would help prevent the creation of a danger-
world's remaining superpower subsidize its
ous vacuum--feared by proponents of con-
defense?--it is not necessarily in America's
tinuing U.S. dominance--after America's mil-
interest to do so.
itary disengagement. Washington's position
should be that of a distant balancer, leaving
A Realistic Approach to
friendly regional powers to handle their own
Dealing with China
affairs but poised to act if a hegemonic threat
arises that those states cannot contain.
The United States should aid the creation
Increased regional cooperation is particu-
of a more effective regional security frame-
larly important, given the likely rise of China.
work by encouraging the peaceful resolution
The end of the bitter Cold War rivalry
of various boundary and territorial disputes.
between the United States and the Soviet
None presently seems likely to lead to war,
Union allows Washington to take a more bal-
but all impede better bilateral and multilater-
anced position in regard to the People's
al cooperation. Washington should offer its
Republic of China (PRC). In its new report,
good offices to help mediate the Japan-
the Pentagon rightly treats Beijing with some
eseSouth Korean squabble over the
unease: "China presents numerous chal-
Takeshima/Tokdu islands, the Japanese-
lenges, as well as opportunities, in our region-
Russian quarrel over the "northern territo-
al security strategy." As a result, "the United
ries" (the Kuril Islands), and the multifaceted
States, and indeed the rest of the Asia-Pacific
territorial disputes over the Paracel and
region, has a substantial interest in China's
Spratly islands to help dissipate internation-
emergence as a stable, secure, open, prosper-
al tensions.75 It is crucial, however, that the
ous and peaceful country."77
United States make clear that resolution of
In general, the administration takes a
those and similar controversies is up to the
responsible attitude toward relations with
Tokyo could do
interested parties, not to America.
the PRC, advocating increased confidence-
much to improve
Indeed, the Clinton administration ac-
building activities and bilateral coopera-
regional security.
knowledges that regional institutions are
tion.78 Washington should continue to pro-
arising to play a mediating role. For instance,
mote good political relations, expand mili-
reports DOD, "ASEAN has distinguished
tary dialogues, push for a freer trade regime
itself by tackling such issues as political insta-
(including Beijing's inclusion in the World
bility in Cambodia and territorial disputes in
Trade Organization), and encourage addi-
the South China Sea."76 But such efforts will
tional economic and political reforms.79
always be limited if America insists on pre-
However, the United States need not be
serving its dominant role. Just as the prospect
reticent about discussing China's foreign
of a hanging concentrates the mind, so the
arms sales, human rights abuses, and
prospect of American military disengage-
attempted bullying of Taiwan. America
ment would concentrate the energies of
should speak frankly on those issues, though
squabbling countries on working through
Congress should resist pressure to limit trade
their differences rather than inflaming past
with and investment in China. While nothing
hatreds for domestic political gain.
is inevitable, economic ties offer a powerful
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