Beijing’s strategy: Commerce or clashes?

The emphasis in the July 20 story, “Pentagon Says China Seeks to Extend Military Reach,” and, on the same day, the Max Boot commentary, “China’s stealth war on the U.S.,” was chilling in its tone. China’s growth, as reported in the Business section, is about commerce and modernization, not aggression, with the possible exception of a clash with Taiwan. Its military buildup should be expected, as it becomes more wealthy, to defend itself from attack by neighbors that have in the past proved to be potential adversaries.

China is working overtime and building a progressive, productive society based upon the Chinese people’s natural capitalistic impulses. As they abandon their old communist ideology, the Chinese can become a partner and an ally with the U.S.

The paranoia of the neocons that would have us attack any country that is managing its affairs independently and not taking orders from America is scary. Imagining a boogeyman behind every tree is what leads a country to attack phantom enemies and start world wars.

Paul Moser

Studio City

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I have news for Boot: China has already won any future military confrontation with the United States. To wage war, we need an economy to pay for that war. The U.S. is now a debtor nation and China is our largest creditor. China now holds over $750 billion in U.S. Treasury bills. A nation cannot wage war without an economy to support that war. Our economy is now at China’s mercy.

Can you imagine what would happen if China would start dumping a substantial amount of those T-bills on the world market? The value of the dollar would plummet and our economy would be tremendously harmed. From the viewpoint of China this is a brilliant strategy. Why use force when blackmail will work just as well. In hindsight the people of the U.S. have only themselves to blame.

Candice Uhlir

Rancho Palos Verdes