China is set to release its 2020 research report on the US military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. It comes amid the US’ recent increased military activities near China, including repeated trespassing into China’s territorial waters. The report details US security policy, military presence and deployment, recent military activities and security relations in the region. There is no doubt that confrontation and even deteriorating military relations between China and the US would substantially increase the possibility of a conflict or even a crisis in their bilateral relations. The US has forward-deployed a large number of its forces, strengthened and deepened its military alliances and conducted intensive provocative activities targeted at China. China has been actively and properly handling its military relationship with the US in accordance with the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.
The Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has assured Australia and the United States that his country will never allow its sovereignty to be militarized. He was referring to unfounded claims that China intends to build a naval base in the Solomon Islands. The relationship between Honiara and Beijing has been growing since the Solomons switched diplomatic allegiance from Taipei to Beijing in 2019. China has followed the rules drawn up by Western capitalism. It has entered the World Trade Organization and many other international bodies.
But that is still not good enough for many in the West who feel bound to toe the US line. The fact that China reaches out to some of the world’s poorest countries should be seen as an act of friendship.
