Clinton pushes for stronger China role
3/27/2009
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has moved aggressively and quickly to secure a stronger role in what she has called the world’s most important relationship: U.S. dealings with China. But military and economic tensions between the two powers keep getting in her way.
As the international financial crisis worsens, the two colossal economies have bickered over their intertwined interests. China is nervous about its position as Washington’s biggest foreign creditor, holding an estimated $1 trillion in U.S. government debt.
Beijing and Washington also have sparred over military matters, including a confrontation between American and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea and harsh words over Pentagon claims that China’s rapidly growing military strength could allow it to win short, intense conflicts against high-tech adversaries.
These issues will demand high-level attention from the Treasury and Defense departments. Clinton is pushing, however, to ensure that her diplomatic corps is not marginalized as the United States engages a country the Obama administration needs as a partner in efforts to solve the world’s major problems.
Harold
