Res Communis

Written testimony from House U.S. Armed Services Committee

by Joanne Irene Gabrynowicz with the blog faculty

Source: U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee

“CHINA: MILITARY AND SECURITY DEVELOPMENTS”

PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE WALLACE C. GREGSON ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR ASIAN AND PACIFIC SECURITY AFFAIRS

TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2010, 1000-1200

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to appear before this Committee and to speak about recent military and security developments in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), an issue of continuing significance for U.S. foreign and defense policy in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Since the Committee’s last hearing on this topic, in June 2008, we have witnessed several significant developments – some positive, others troubling – many of which were documented in the 2009 edition of the Secretary of Defense’s annual report on Military Power of the People’s Republic of China. Although this report will form the backdrop for much of my testimony this morning, I would note that this hearing will also provide an opportunity to speak to several important developments that have occurred in the intervening months and that are informing our efforts as we prepare the first edition of the Secretary of Defense’s annual report on Military and Security Developments Related to the People’s Republic of China that is due to Congress in March of this year.

In his July 27, 2009 speech before the opening session of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, President Obama observed that the “relationship between the United States and China will shape the 21st century, which makes it as important as any bilateral relationship in the world.” Accordingly, the United States has committed itself to the pursuit of a relationship with China that is positive, cooperative, and comprehensive – an aspiration that was re-affirmed in the U.S.-China Joint Statement on November 17, 2009.  Download more…