An Analysis Of The Institutionalization Of U.S.-China Military Relations And Causes

This thesis examines the relationship between the United States and Chinese militaries andthe reasons for a lack of military institutions. Plagued with fundamental distrust of the UnitedStates strategy in Southeast and East Asia, relations with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)and the U.S. military continue to lag behind political and economic cooperation between the twocountries. This thesis explores the conditions needed for successful military to militaryinstitutions to take place. The methodology includes qualitative analysis of U.S-China relationssince1989and extensive interviews with U.S. and Chinese experts on issues ranging frommilitary to military relations, energy security, and areas for conflict and cooperation. Thisdissertation proposes using common interests on non-traditional security threats outside ofChina’s vicinity and a set of confidence building measures to prevent dangerous incidents at seaas a starting point for building trust through military to military institutions. Two case studies,U.S.-China dialogue, and disputes within the South China Sea, are used to conceptualize thefeasibility for such institutions. Analysis finds that Chinese experts tend to define the relationshipand mistrust in a holistic approach, focusing on U.S. processes rather than specific events.Military cooperation is still a viable option but non-traditional security cooperation should bestressed as a starting point rather than focusing on high level exchanges.