Kerry op-ed on China

[karynnj]

It's critical that leaders in both countries do not allow such suspicions, heightened by media and public opinion in both countries, to degenerate into mutual fear-mongering and demagoguery. China is not a revolutionary power, and the United States is not trying to contain it. And the simple fact is that we need China, and China needs us.

Let me be clear: getting this relationship right doesn't mean papering over significant differences on thorny issues like human rights, but it does require not allowing disagreements to obscure positive developments. In fact, we need to consolidate and build upon existing areas of cooperation.

<snip>
Another area where both countries must work together more closely is on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and field green technologies. China made strides in recent multilateral negotiations to make its commitments more measurable, reportable, and verifiable. The upcoming summit can have a catalytic effect on efforts to achieve further breakthroughs in developing clean energy.

Combating extremism in Afghanistan is another transnational challenge that provides fertile ground for greater cooperation. Investing more in Afghanistan's people, rather than just its natural resources, would be an important sign that China understands that with greater power comes greater responsibility.
his opportunity, the story of the next 40 years of U.S.-China relations can be one of genuine cooperation, robust competition, and spectacular accomplishment.

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/14/3324331/bridging-the-trust-deficit-with.html

He speaks of a key issue being improving the "trust deficit". (The Afghanistan comment reminds me that some people testified to China's interest in mineral extraction (I think copper) in Afghanistan, but they are waiting for others to provide the security in some areas.)

In the lead up to a DC visit by China's leader, there are many speeches being given - here is an account of Hillary Clinton's, http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2011/0114/Hillary-Clinton-Don-t-be-suspicious-of-US-China-relationship and of Geitner's - http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/13/business/la-fi-geithner-china-20110113

[wisteria]

1. +1 n/t