Sino-American Military Cooperation:Evolution And Key Influences

Sino-American military relations are an essential component of the overall bilateral strategic relationship. Military cooperation is a central element which helps to determine the course of these relations. Since the reestablishment of formal relations between the PRC and the United States in 1979, Sino-American military cooperation has endured the ebb and flow of the overall relationship. From a high point during the 1980's, to the near cessation of military relations as the result of the Tiananmen Square Incident in 1989, to the rebuilding of relations in the 1990's, Sino-American military cooperation has changed its form but has managed to endure. This research project investigates the course of military to military cooperation between the PRC and the United States, examines the theoretical driving forces underlying those contacts, and analyzes the trends of this cooperation to come to conclusions which have both practical application as well as advance theoretical understanding of military to military cooperation in international relations. Understanding what continues to drive such cooperation despite numerous obstacles helps to better grasp their utility to enhancing national security, of both nations, as well as creating stability in the strategic relationship.