HAIKOU, CHINA ¨C In the run-up to U.S. President Donald Trump¡¯s inauguration, advocates of a more aggressive U.S. foreign policy toward China unleashed a barrage of hawkish commentaries and proposals. Much commentary focused on Beijing¡¯s behavior in the South China Sea. What are the likely effects on U.S.-China ties?
This deluge was stimulated by statements by Trump and his nominees for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson and secretary of defense, James Mattis. Trump¡¯s actions and words questioned the U.S.-China fundamental agreement on a ¡°One-China¡± policy. Tillerson declared that China¡¯s access to the South China Sea features it has built upon will not be ¡°allowed¡°. Mattis opined that China¡¯s behavior in the South China Sea was part of ¡°a mounting assault on global stability¡± In his view China is challenging the U.S.-built and maintained regional order.
Meanwhile former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, once considered by Trump for secretary of state and perhaps still a Trump adviser, suggested that the U.S. marines stationed in Okinawa be transferred to Taiwan to ¡°enhance the U.S.¡¯ East Asia military posture¡°.
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