Chinese military officials have made very public “frank” statements regarding U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s visit to China. Vice Chairman of the Chinese Military Commission Fan Changlong said in an April 8 press conference with Hagel that he had carefully listened to the secretary’s comments abroad and that he was “dissatisfied” with Hagel’s remarks regarding Beijing’s activities in East Asia. Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan emphasized China’s sovereignty over disputed islands in the East and South China seas, saying that China would not give up its claims or tolerate any infringement on its territory. The message to Hagel was intended to reflect China’s confidence in its abilities and to reiterate that the relative balance of military power in the region is changing. In other words, the United States should stop trying to prevent China’s emergence as a regional power and adjust its posture and policies to the changing reality of the region.

There is indeed a change underway in the relative balance of power in East Asia. China’s naval and air forces may not be able to truly rival their US counterparts, but in the East and South China seas their capabilities are expanding, and this necessarily has begun to erode the existing power structure. During his visits throughout the region prior to his stop in China, Hagel highlighted Chinese actions as potentially destabilizing and suggested that China’s aggressive attempts to alter the status quo are undermining stability and security in East Asia.

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