In short, we enjoy a close, strong, working relationship. And because we have honed our ability to deter or compel in war, we have no doubts about our ability to work well together in the reassuring activities of peace. These two countries dramatically demonstrate both the potential benefits of success and the terrible price of failure of the application of military power for reassurance. Where China goes, so, too, goes the future of Asia. None of us can ignore a country with over one-fifth of the world's population, intercontinental nuclear weapons, veto power on the U.N. Security Council and one of the most dynamic economies in the world.
China is a key factor to regional stability.
All the countries of this region watch China closely. A threat is comprised of both capabilities and intentions. Everything we know today tells us that improved Chinese capabilities are highly probable. The key is their intentions. If China wants to maintain and advance the current stability of the region, then all of our efforts will be easier.