May 20, 2009

The Impact of China’s Economic and Security Interests in Continental Asia on the United States

By Abraham M. Denmark

This CNAS Congressional Testimony contains Fellow Abraham Denmark's statement on the strategic and geopolitical implications of China’s engagement in Afghanistan and Pakistan on American interests. The testimony was prepared for the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, given on May 20, 2009.

According to Denmark, "U.S. policymakers should engage their Chinese counterparts and encourage them to integrate their efforts toward Afghanistan and Pakistan within the broader international effort.  While China’s role will primarily be economic and political, U.S. policymakers should also encourage China to use its close connections with Pakistan’s military to encourage it to break connections with the Taliban and other extremists and focus on the threat of militants in its Western provinces. The United States and China share two common goals: defeating the terrorist threat and supporting regional stability.  While the United States has the lead role in achieving these objectives, Afghanistan and Pakistan are not solely a U.S. problem.  They are an international problem, and as a neighbor and regional power, China has the ability to contribute to the international solution."

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