Defense Secretary James Mattis was far from conciliatory toward China, condemning them as “shredding the trust of the nations in the region” in comments over the weekend in Japan, but was applauded by the Chinese Foreign Ministry for emphasizing diplomacy over disputes in the South China Sea.
That Mattis’ comments were so welcomed reflects just how much concern there was in the region over comments by other Trump Administration officials, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who suggested the US should resolve their opposition to China’s island building by militarily excluding China from all those islands.
White House officials had echoed Tillerson’s comments, despite warnings from Chinese state media that this would lead to a massive war in the South China Sea, presenting the move as a military defense of “international territory” from China.
Mattis’ comments appear more measured, or at the very least well short of the bellicosity that prevailed among other official comments, and the hope, for China and the rest of the region, is that Mattis’ comments represent the US backing away from a potential conflict.
I like all of Trumps administrators , But the one I pay the most attention to is Kelly Anne Conway . I would never argue with her . I bet her poor husband has never won a single fight yet .
Ah, yes, beware of the very thin and tall women; keep them in church or basement!
I still think that China’s interest in the South China Sea is primarily as decoy to keep the US foreign policy establishment from focusing on China’s plans to dominate the Eurasian economy.
Channeling Kissinger and Nixon again. Kissinger used to tell the N. Vietnamese that Nixon is crazy, and they needed to make a deal before he nukes them. I suppose the Chinese have been desperate for a positive sign, they hate unpredictable people, and Trump is truly and enigma. For Korean War guys like my Dad, China was always just unfinished business.
The Korean War was none of our business, either.
US can bomb China but can China bomb US? And in equal measure US bombs China?
No, probably not. But since US basic ideology is under God sworn an enemy of all godless countries; thus also enemy of peace, coexistence, fairness, equality, we will forever be in perils of all kinds.
And all presidents MUST act so as to please first of all American God! Will this last forever?
Perhaps Mattis may even consider that “defense” can actually mean that, and not aggression, which is so common an American attitude.