No world problem can be resolved without US and China: Clinton

 Observing that China has a seat at virtually every table and a role in virtually every institution of importance in the world, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that no problem in the world today can be resolved without the United States and China.

"We and others around the world are looking for even greater leadership from China. China and the United States cannot solve all the problems of the world together. But without China and the United States, I doubt that any of our global problems can be solved," Clinton said in a major foreign policy speech.

Delivering the remarks at think-tank the US Institute of Peace to mark the 40th anniversary of the China visit by the then US President Richard Nixon, Clinton said the US wants China to be a full stakeholder, embracing its role as a major global player, to helping strengthen the international system that makes its own and its success possible.
Clinton said its power, wealth, and influence have pushed China rapidly to a new echelon in the international order.

"What China says and does reverberates around the globe, and simply by changing itself, China affects the world around it. At the same time, it is still working on its great economic mission, bringing development to millions more of the Chinese people," she said.

Clinton pointed out that China's response at times has been to seek to have it at both ways, acting like what she called a selective stakeholder.

"In some forums, on some issues, China wants to be treated as a great power; in others, as a developing nation. That's perfectly understandable, because China has attributes of both. Nonetheless, the world is looking for China to play a role that is commensurate with its new standing. And that means it can no longer be a selective stakeholder," she said.

China, she noted, has already shown increased leadership on some regional and global issues, like countering piracy and sustaining the global economic recovery.

It has also contributed substantially to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide, and we applaud these steps, she added.

"But we do believe China will have to go further to fully embrace its new role in the world to give the world confidence that it is going to, not just today or on one set of issues, but for the long run, play a positive role that will enhance security, stability, and prosperity," Clinton said. "So the world is looking to China and asking questions like these: Will China adapt its foreign policy so it contributes more to solving regional and global problems to make it possible for others to succeed as well? Will it use its power to help end brutal violence against civilians in places like Syria?

"Will it explain its military buildup and the ultimate goals of its military strategies, policies, and programs to relieve unease, to reassure its neighbors, to avoid misunderstandings, and to contribute to maintaining regional security?" Clinton asked.

"Will it uphold international maritime laws and norms, which for decades have made it possible for nations to engage in peaceful trade?  Will it work more vigorously to establish international standards in cyberspace, so the internet works for everyone and so people in China and elsewhere can harness its economic and social benefits? And will it use its economic standing to enforce a rules-based system for global trade and investment so it can advance its own economic development while contributing to global growth?" she asked.

Obama administration's outreach to China during the past three years has been a continuation of a bipartisan tradition that every president since President Nixon has upheld, she said.

"In this administration, we’ve launched our Strategic and Economic Dialogue and a Strategic Security Dialogue, and we’ve had intensive discussions on just about every issue you can imagine, from trade policy to counterterrorism to human rights to border security. Each of our countries has hosted multiple high-level visits from the other. Our presidents have met in person more than 10 times. And later this year, in May, I'll make my sixth trip to China as Secretary of State," she said.

"All of this effort has taken place within a larger regional push to strengthen our ties throughout the Asia Pacific. We've enhanced our relationships with our treaty allies Japan, Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines. We've broadened our relationships with other emerging powers, including India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore. We've strengthened our unofficial relationship with Taiwan. We've reengaged with Burma," she said.
"We've invested in regional multilateral institutions, including the East Asia Summit and ASEAN. We've increased our economic engagement, updated our regional military posture and amplified our advocacy for the rule of law and universal human rights. In short, we are working around the clock to do everything we can to defend and advance security and prosperity throughout the Asia Pacific. And having that positive, cooperative, and comprehensive relationship with China is vital to every one of those objectives," she said.