Theater Security Cooperation Plan with China: Enabling a Blue Water Dragon
Abstract
China's massive increase in domestic defense spending and new emphasis on building a modern navy has great implications for the security and stability in Asia. China's Navy is still maturing and the longer it takes for China to gain a true blue water capability gives U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) and other elements of U.S. national soft power time to influence current and future leaders in China to be more open and honest about their true intentions. To maintain stability, PACOM has an interest in retarding People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) modernization and professionalization. Yet at the same time, PACOM should engage with the PLAN where possible to build trust and relationships that can positively influence the trajectory of China's rise in directions favorable to the U.S. This paper concludes that PACOM should not enter into a robust Theater Security Cooperation Plan with China, but it would be a ma%or mistake to treat China as an enemy and stop all cooperation. Military cooperation with China should be limited to those activities that do not present the PPC with insights that enable the PLAN to mature at a quicker pace. PACOM's framework for cooperation should be based on minimizing the PLAN's attainment of sea power not in the hopes of gaining PPC transparency.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 23, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA484337
Entities
People
- Christopher S. Ford
Organizations
- Naval War College