China's rise

24 February 2007

If, as the Vice-President states, China’s military build-up is ‘not consistent’ with the aim of peaceful rise (‘Cheney Criticizes China’s Arms Buildup’, 23/2), it might be helpful to enumerate those things the much vaster US military build-up is not consistent with:

• Allowing other nations (including China) to feel secure.

• Prudent financial management.

• The spirit of numerous disarmanent treaties.

• The American role as exemplar to smaller nations.

• Its own self-interest, and the safety of its citizens.