Both the United States of America and China must work together to improve strategic relations. Despite differences in their military might, both sides should strive to increase communication and cooperation in emerging issues to avoid strategic miscalculations. The two sides should also engage in various forms of exchange. Even though these projects are purely symbolic, they can increase trust. These stabilization tools are vital for managing and preventing differences, as well as avoiding wider crises and conflicts.
There are differences between U.S. military power and Chinese.
The report identifies the differences between the two countries' military capabilities, and argues that the U.S. military advantage is justifiable. It also emphasizes the importance limiting Chinese military advancement to protect U.S. National Security Interests. The report was compiled by a number of scholars and experts. Three of them were former Pentagon officials and military specialists.
They are experts in their respective fields. Some of them include Ervin J. Kanter, former undersecretary of state for foreign affairs, and Robert S. Kapp, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, the principal group representing U.S. companies doing business in China. Other notable figures include Thomas S. Foley, a former U.S. ambassador to Japan and a partner at the Boston-based investment firm Warburg Pincus. Andrew Scobell (senior fellow at the Strategic Studies Institute of U.S Army War College) contributes an essay to the study.
Confidence gap in U.S.-China militaries
Despite China’s impressive military progress, its military capabilities are still behind those of the United States. China has made great progress in many areas, even though it lags behind the United States on both operational and aggregate military capabilities. RAND has recently published a report which analyzes both the U.S. militaries and China's.
It outlines several ways to compare the relative capabilities between the U.S.- and Chinese militaries in case of conflict. It shows how each country ranks against the other at various points in history from 1996 to 2017. An advantage means one side would be able to achieve primary objectives, while a disadvantage means the opposite.
There are efforts to improve cooperation between the militaries
Both militaries have started to develop a comprehensive mechanism for enhancing cooperation. This will include U.S. Forces and South Korean Forces as well as other relevant agencies. This will involve close coordination in operations and intelligence activities. Both militaries can also help each other with electronic and communication capabilities.
Both the U.S. and the Japanese Governments will also coordinate their intelligence and transportation operations. This is a significant step towards improving the effectiveness of both forces. The collaboration will be in the area of airlift and sealift supplies to Japan.
Trust deficit between both militaries
Despite the improvement in military relations between India & China, there is still a trust gap between the two countries. Both militaries remain cautious when interacting across the Line of Actual Control, and they have not yet resolved their long-standing border dispute. Although the two countries enjoy close strategic relations with each other, suspicions over motives and intentions continue.
Although both militaries attempted to resolve the issue, little has been accomplished. Both sides continue to deploy large numbers in deep areas. Both sides have been trying to build infrastructure in Ladakh to allow them to carry out their military operations. The talks between the militaries have had only 10 rounds. The first round was held prior to the Galwan Valley clash.