For stability in the Asia-Pacific region, it is essential that the U.S. and China ― the world’s sole superpower and the second-largest military and economic power ― take confidence-building measures.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the U.S. and met with U.S. President Barack Obama at a retreat in California. It is unusual for a Chinese president to visit the U.S. only three months after his inauguration to meet with a U.S. president.

Through eight hours over two days, the two leaders discussed a new cooperative bilateral relationship. They agreed to step up pressure on North Korea over its nuclear programs and promote measures to address global warming. But their differences in intentions were conspicuous.

The “new model for a relationship between major countries” that Xi is seeking is a relationship with the U.S. on an equal footing, in which both sides respect each other’s social systems and core interests. Close attention should be paid to Xi’s remarks during the talks that “the vast Pacific Ocean has enough space for the two large nations of China and the U.S.”

Obama, for his part, called for a “peaceful rise” of China based on the premise that it abide by international rules.

Xi also requested information regarding U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral trade talks. Beijing apparently is wary that the envisaged trade framework could effectively contain China.

Obama expressed concerns regarding the focal issue of cyber-attacks seeking illegal access to data, saying resolving cybersecurity issues would be key to the future of U.S.-China economic relations. His remarks are based on suspicions voiced in the U.S. that the Chinese government is involved in such activities.

As long as Xi insists that China is also “a victim of cyber-attacks,” Beijing should take measures to block hacking in cooperation with the U.S.

As for the Japan-China confrontation over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, Obama called for dialogue through diplomatic channels rather than actions on the East China Sea. This was meant to persuade China ― which continues its saber-rattling by allowing its marine surveillance ships and other vessels to enter Japan’s territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands ― to exercise self-restraint.

But Xi said he hopes those concerned, apparently referring to Japan among others, will stop taking provocative actions and promptly return to a track of settling problems appropriately through dialogue. This is an extremely self-serving stance. It is China that must restrain its excessive provocations.

China’s attempts to unilaterally expand its maritime interests in the East China Sea and the South China Sea appear to contradict the “peaceful development” policy it vocally advocates.

If China seeks an equal relationship of coexistence with the U.S., it must behave responsibly to achieve that end. Complying with international rules is a minimum obligation for Beijing.

The Japanese and U.S. governments are planning to set up a bilateral summit meeting to coincide with an upcoming Group of Eight summit meeting of major nations. Japan needs to reconfirm the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance without lowering its guard against China, which is trying to reassure itself that it is indeed a major nation by relying on its mighty power.

(The Japan News)

(Asia News Network)