It is not so much China's improving military capabilities, as it is China's ongoing ability to destabilize the region. China is, and will remain, a very powerful player in the Asia-Pacific region. Dealing with conflicts of interests is far less expensive and less taxing to the American people and to the US domestic agenda than managing a rising power, which is an expensive proposition and portends long-term competition. Ross argues that China is far from having hegemonic capabilities and that the challenge to the United States is to manage conflicts of interests. This will not be easy.
China is different from most countries.
China requires greater US attention and more difficult negotiations than exist with other countries. Yet such a relationship, though difficult, is manageable, says Ross. At present, however, US interests in Asia remain the same, and China has yet to challenge America's supremacy in the region. Ross turned next to the question of Chinese intentions. The issue, according to Ross, is how China plans to manage its conflicts of interest with the United States, and how America should respond.