Is China becoming increasingly provocative by asserting itself more forcefully in the region?
Right now, there’s clearly a big spotlight on China, and there appears to be a bit of an internal debate going on in China. We’ve got World Trade Organization membership hanging out there. We’ve had our recent difficulties with China. Taiwan still looms as a large question in our [U.S.-China] relationship, and then there’s the whole question of stability in East Asia. So there’s a lot of spotlight on it. I wouldn’t characterize it as [being] more or less provocative, however. Q: If it’s not “containment,” how would you describe U.S. policy viz-a-vis China? A: I don’t think containment is a proper term. I don’t think it’s what we’re doing. What we’re trying to be is just a force for peace and stability in the region. And I wouldn’t be involved in using that characterization — or even one word or one phrase to describe it. Q: Are U.S. military forces stationed in the region still needed? A: I can’t predict the ultimate size and I defer to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on that issue.
