A New High for U.S.-China Military Ties

After reaching their apex in the final decade of the Cold War, military-to-military ties between China and the United States entered a two-decade tailspin. In the interlude, China emerged as a great power in the Pacific Rim. Now, with Beijing's regional heft at an all-time high, regional military tensions are elevated, especially in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. In this volatile environment, both countries are looking to military relations as a tool for developing strategic trust, making accidents less likely and helping to manage them when they inevitably occur....