I am pleased that Sec Def Hagel has taken the time to "shore-up" Sino-US relations at a time when so much is at stake. The US relationship with China is a far different animal than US-Russian relations, as China and the US have become very important trading partners, and we are joined at our economies, while many of our views are potentially conflicting, far more are parallel, I think it would be a huge mistake by either country to discount the other. I think this visit is a sign that there is an awareness of how important this relationship is to both our countries. I think this new openness, is fragile, but prescious to both our peoples, although there are "buzzards" on both sides who would like to engender strife, and we each have other "friends" who would prefer that we remain at odds, I would encourage honest and up-front communications, so we all know where we stand with one another....... really, conflict would tear the world apart. I am absolutely not encouraging a relationship at any cost, but an honest, open, friendly, and respectful partnership...
