South China Sea Tensions Push US and China Toward Increased Dialogue
Washington and Beijing are engaging in more frequent conversations to avert conflict in the South China Sea, despite their fraught and competitive relationship, according to the US ambassador to China.
“Our militaries are operating in very close proximity in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. It’s crucial not to send the wrong signal,” Nicholas Burns said in a recent interview in Beijing.
The South China Sea has become a volatile hotspot, with Beijing’s territorial claims escalating tensions with Taiwan, the Philippines, and their key ally, the US. In recent months, Chinese and Philippine vessels have engaged in risky encounters, including an incident this week where Chinese coastguard personnel allegedly boarded a Philippine boat and attacked soldiers with swords and knives.
The US, having fortified military alliances from Manila to Tokyo, has repeatedly pledged to defend its allies’ rights in the South China Sea, further straining ties with China. The already tense relationship has been exacerbated by issues such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China’s claims over Taiwan, and an ongoing trade war.
Chinese and Philippine boats have come dangerously close to each other in the contested waters. Burns acknowledged that these flashpoints continue to “completely divide” the two sides but emphasized the importance of dialogue to prevent misunderstandings that could lead to conflict.
“The Chinese have agreed to enhance our military-to-military communications, which is critical. The last thing we want is an accident or misunderstanding that escalates into conflict,” said the 68-year-old diplomat.
While tensions have somewhat eased, the upcoming US presidential election could disrupt the fragile relationship. “We’ve warned the Chinese not to interfere in our election in any way,” Burns stated, expressing concerns about potential meddling.
Earlier this year, FBI officials suggested that China might continue its efforts to sow discord and spread disinformation online. Burns added that the FBI had evidence of “cyber aggression by Chinese authorities” against the US, allegations that Beijing has consistently denied.
Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump are adopting tough stances on China, viewing it as a vote-winning strategy. In May, President Biden announced new tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars, solar panels, and other goods, a move Burns described as an “economic decision” to protect American jobs, despite China’s threats of retaliation.
Despite the rivalry, there are areas of cooperation. Burns recently met with China’s climate envoy to discuss reducing emissions, and both nations are holding “high-level talks” to prevent the drug fentanyl from reaching US shores.
Most of Burns’ meetings are at a ministerial level, with audiences with President Xi Jinping reserved for visits from senior US officials like Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Both sides have also pledged to promote more “people-to-people” exchanges, though this has proven challenging. Since the San Francisco summit last November, Chinese authorities have reportedly obstructed numerous public diplomacy initiatives.
Chinese students and academics have also reported being unfairly targeted by US border officials, prompting Beijing to lodge formal protests. Meanwhile, the US has issued a “level 3” travel advisory for China, urging visitors to “reconsider” their travel due to wrongful detentions and exit bans imposed on American citizens by Chinese authorities.
The biggest fault line remains the war in Ukraine. The US believes China could influence Russia’s actions, with Burns reiterating that Beijing’s support for Moscow’s invasion is unacceptable. “China is not neutral in this war. It’s supporting Russia, aiding Putin in his barbaric war on Ukrainian civilians,” Burns said, highlighting the involvement of “tens of thousands” of Chinese companies aiding Russia.
The G7 recently echoed these sentiments, threatening more sanctions on Chinese entities aiding Russia. Beijing dismissed these warnings as “arrogant and prejudiced.”
Despite improvements since the 2022 tensions following Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan and the US’s downing of a Chinese balloon over North American airspace, Burns described his initial two years as challenging. Communication with Chinese officials was minimal until the Biden-Xi meeting in San Francisco.
Now, relations are “relatively better,” but Burns anticipates a long road ahead: “This very difficult rivalry is going to be present for some time to come.”
