Can SOF Assist USPACOM in Building a Stronger Link to China's PLA?

Can SOF assist USPACOM in building a stronger link to China s PLA The U.S. has made it very clear in both public statements by senior policy makers and in strategic guidance documents that the Asia-Pacific region will receive increased prioritization of resources. The overall U.S. objective for the Asia-Pacific region is normally framed in terms of continued security and stability underpinned by U.S. leadership for the sake of continual global economic growth. Sustainable and substantive military to military relationships with China is seen as a major effort in reaching this goal. U.S. Pacific Command USPACOM has an opportunity to engage China s military leadership on establishing a recurring, bilateral SOF exchange focused on basic skills sets associated with counter piracy and counter terrorism mission sets. This SOF exchange would fall into an area of mutual interest for both the U.S. and China, and by initially being scaled to basic skill sets would limit security concerns by both parties. Both countries SOF units possess the required capacity, competence and equipment to take part in this type of training event. Such an exchange would positively contribute to establishing a more transparent and robust military to military relationship between the U.S. and China.