January 23, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Michael Schiffer, 563-264-1500

Stanley Foundation Launches New Project
Examining US-China-Japan Relations

(Muscatine, Iowa)—The continuing security and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region is largely contingent on enhanced cooperation between the region's three dominant powers: China, Japan, and the United States.

Yet the confluence of the end of the Cold War, perceptions of increased US unilateralism, the rise of China, and a "normalizing" Japan has upended what had traditionally been a reasonably stable regional system—and left in its stead a situation that remains highly fluid, unstable, and vulnerable to pressure for confrontation and possibly conflict.

Because of the institutional weakness of the region combined with the close operating proximity of militaries in the region, numerous analysts have pointed to an urgent need for increased confidence- and security-building measures (CSBMs) in the region.

To that end, the Stanley Foundation, in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, has launched a new project on "Trilateral Confidence- and Security- Building Measures."

Other collaborators on the project include the Shanghai Institute for International Studies in cooperation with the Institute for Strategic Studies for China, the Okazaki Institute of Japan, and the National Institute for Defense Studies.

Following the planning meeting held in Honolulu earlier this month, the project will support the creation of three study groups—one in each the United States, Japan, and China—to meet on a regular basis over a 10-12 month period to develop a "menu" of CSBMs.

The project will seek to achieve four key objectives:

1. To assess the current state of debate in the United States, Japan, and China about the role and utility of CSBMs, as well as regarding the particular application of specific CSBMs.
2. To develop transparent dialogue between US, Japanese, and Chinese analysts and policymakers (both civilian and military) on the role and utility of (certain/specific) CSBMs and assess the implications of these possible alternate CSBMs on trilateral relationship.
3. To develop concrete consensus recommendations for CSBMs that can be implemented bilaterally and trilaterally and serve as stabilizing factors in managing the trilateral relationship.
4. Improve strategic communication and security cooperation between the United States, Japan, and China through a frank and open exchange of ideas that fosters receptivity and, critically, reciprocity.

About the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies

The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) officially opened September 4, 1995, in Honolulu, Hawaii. The APCSS addresses regional and global security issues, inviting military and civilian representatives of the United States and 45 Asia-Pacific nations to its comprehensive program of executive education and conferences, both in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Online at www.apcss.org.

About the Stanley Foundation

The Stanley Foundation brings fresh voices, original ideas, and lasting solutions to debates on global and regional problems. It is a nonpartisan, private operating foundation that focuses primarily on peace and security issues and advocates principled multilateralism.

The Stanley Foundation often works collaboratively with other organizations. It does not make grants. Online at www.stanleyfoundation.org.