by Nick Hermosilla ‘19

 A recent speech by Vice President Mike Pence criticizing China has put the two countries even more at each other’s throats. Recent events surrounding this conflict include the growing U.S.-China trade war, mass imprisonment of Muslims in China’s Xinjiang province, and ongoing Chinese cyber attacks and espionage attempts. Pence fiercely criticized these actions of China, and rightfully so.

 But if Washington wants to counter Beijing’s increasingly hostile actions, it must form a more complex strategy than just tariffs. The most important thing the U.S. must do is create a united economic front in the South Pacific to provide those countries an alternative to the Chinese economy. Additionally the U.S. government must end dependency on Chinese-made electronic parts. Many basic systems various government agencies use depend on Chinese manufactured microchips and processing units, making them at risk to exploitation. The U.S. should also strengthen defense ties with South Pacific countries, such as through creating a program to assist security services of countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Vietnam in capturing Chinese spies and increasing military and intelligence support to Taiwan. Finally the U.S. should supply and finance Muslim and pro-Democracy dissident groups in China to put pressure on the regime.