While British Prime Minister David Cameron and Chinese President Xi Jinping enjoyed a friendly beer during the latter’s visit to the UK at the end of October, U.S.-China relations took a completely different tone as the USS Lassen conducted a so-called freedom of navigation operation in waters claimed by China in the South China Sea. This set off a wave of condemnations from the Chinese government and media and counterclaims by the U.S. that it had merely sailed through international waters. Compounding the tensions were calls by the U.S. for the release of political prisoners in China and demands for Chinese action on halting cyber attacks aimed at American companies. It seems an early autumn chill has arrived in U.S.-China relations and with winter quickly approaching a thaw seems unlikely in the short-term. Below is a summary of key issue areas emphasized by the U.S. and China during October 2015.

Freedom of Navigation Operation Causes Stir in South China Sea

The United States is a strong proponent of the rules related to the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in international waters. And because China is also interested in protecting the free flow of commerce in the South China Sea, the U.S. hopes these mutual interests can lead to a peaceful and diplomatic solution to territorial disputes in the South China Sea. But China continues to reiterate that it has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters.

While these types of comments have been repeated heavily during previous months, the U.S. made a move which is changing the outlook of the South China Sea dispute. The U.S. sailed a military vessel through waters surrounding the Nansha Islands that China claims as its territorial seas in what the U.S. is calling a freedom of navigation operation. These operations, U.S. claims, are for protecting “the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all nations under international law.” The Chinese government responded by calling this move a “grave political provocation against China.” The U.S. firmly disagrees with this comment, saying that to sail a ship through international waters is not a provocative act and it should not be taken as a provocative act.

Trilateral Summit and Competing for Friends in Asia

A trilateral summit between China, Japan, and South Korea took place to which the U.S. responded positively by stating that it was in support of the dialogue and that the strong and constructive relations between the aforementioned countries would support regional peace and stability. In relation to this, China also responded positively by echoing that the trilateral meeting would be seen as an opportunity to chart the course of future trilateral cooperation.

The U.S. and China also competed with each other to build closer ties with states in the Asia-Pacific region whilst reaffirming their relations. Amid the U.S. acknowledgment of the importance of its relations with China, it simultaneously held dialogues with its allies, Japan and Australia, to strengthen its bilateral security relations. Furthermore, the U.S. reaffirmed that its commitment to the defense and security of the ROK will never waver and that the U.S-ROK alliance remains a linchpin of peace and security during a summit meeting between President Obama and ROK President Park Geun-hye. Meanwhile, China also showed its commitment to India and ASEAN respectively by performing a joint counter-terrorism exercise with India in Kunming, Yunan, and by promoting a China-ASEAN defense security cooperation.

U.S. and Chinese Position on Russian Role in Syria

The U.S. and China remained deeply concerned with the Syrian civil war, ISIL (which is now being called “Daesh” by some to further undercut the group’s legitimacy), and Russia’s role in both struggles. The U.S.’s main concern is that Russia is not so much fighting against ISIL, as it is bolstering Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his controversial regime. The U.S. policy is to support the moderate opposition in Syria against both ISIL and Assad. China, on the other hand, seems to support Russia more, or at least recognize that Russia faces a more direct security threat that the U.S. may not be taking into account.

Meanwhile, Obama also announced a planned reduction of troops stationed in Afghanistan. China praised this announcement as showing “respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan” In addition, both countries also made note of the entry into force of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear program.

U.S. Demands Action Not Words on Cyber Threats

Cyber threats and security continue to be a sticky subject. The U.S. firmly stated that it expected actions and not just words from China that it would abide by the international code of conduct regarding cyber activities. Furthermore, the U.S. emphasized that it would constantly monitor China’s cyber activities and press China to abide by its commitments. In the event that Beijing’s illegal cyber activity continues, the U.S. will take additional action. On the other hand, China made an announcement that it too was fundamentally against cyber attacks and espionage and demonstrated its will to cooperate with the U.S. in relation to the issue. With regard to this, it was brought up that the Chinese hackers who were accused of cyber espionage by the U.S. were arrested in China.

Despite these disagreements, China was keen to mention that it and the U.S. were both cooperating in their fight against terrorism, and China announced that the visit of the U.S. officers to the Liaoning, China’s first aircraft carrier, was a positive step as it displayed both sides’ willingness for more military exchanges.

Accusations and Rebuttals on Human Rights Violations

The U.S. released reports on China’s human rights and China’s international religious freedom. Generally, the U.S. called for the release of detained and imprisoned people including Mr. Zhang Kai, a Chinese Christian human rights lawyer who was detained in August. The U.S. stated that the Chinese government has detained nearly 300 lawyers and activists without filing charges or holding a trial. The U.S. also criticized coercive birth limitation policies, which can be related to universal human rights upon China’s decision to allow Chinese families to have two children. On the other hand, China criticized the prejudice and ignorance of some Americans hostile to China, and instead wished to be on equal-footing when communicating with the U.S.

Time Period: October 1 ~ October 31

1. U.S. – China Bilateral Relations: U.S. Stresses Positive Achievements in Bilateral Relations; China Appreciates U.S. Cooperation in Repatriation of Corrupt Official

 
2. Economic Relations: U.S. Works on Selling Merits of Concluded TPP Agreement; China Welcomes TPP if it Contributes to Free Trade in the Region

3. Military and Security Relations: U.S. Hopes for China to Abide by Code of Conduct on Cyber Security; China Continues to Deny Involvement in Cyber Raids on U.S. Companies

4. Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues: U.S. Calls for Release of Political Prisoners in China; China Blasts U.S. Government for Ignorance Regarding Human Rights Situation in China

5. Climate Change and Environmental Issues: U.S. Continues to Search for Support on Climate Change Policy Ahead of Paris Talks

6. Asia Pacific Issues: U.S. Reaffirms Strong Ties with Australia, Working with Japan on New Military Base; China Participates in Trilateral Meeting with ROK and Japan

7. Korean Peninsula: U.S. Hosts ROK President Park Geun-hye; China Welcomes Development of U.S.-ROK Relations

8. Middle East and Africa Issue: U.S. Pushes Russia to Engage ISIL in Syria, Continues to Push Forward with the Iranian Nuclear Deal; China Offers Assistance for Countries Dealing with Refugee Crisis, Supports Russian Efforts in Syria

9. Sovereignty and Territorial Disputes: U.S. Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation in Waters Surrounding Nansha Islands; China Condemns U.S. Move as Political Provocation