U.S.-China Security Management: MG-143-AF

Documents the history of U.S. security management with China from 1971 to the present, examines the arguments for and against conducting activities with the People's Liberation Army, and recommends a program of military-to-military activities based on existing constraints and realistic goals. Restrictions on military-to-military relations with China imposed in 2001 stirred a debate on the value of those activities and their place in the overall U.S.-China relationship. This report finds that there is value in security cooperation, despite its problems. The relationship with China should concentrate on security management rather than on security cooperation. A three-part program of dialogue, information gathering, and limited cooperation can have mutual benefit in minimizing misperceptions and the chances of conflict.