Aid bills' intention to contain China belies US' commitment to repairing bilateral ties

Although the two military aid bills regarding Ukraine and Israel caught the attention of the world, the two other bills in the aid package the United States House of Representatives passed on Saturday also deserve attention as they concern the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. In their talk by telephone on April 2, US President Joe Biden reiterated to his Chinese counterpart that the US does not seek a new Cold War, its objective is not to change China's system, its alliances are not targeted against China, it does not support "Taiwan independence", it adheres to the one-China policy and it does not seek conflict with China. As agreed by the two leaders, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen concluded her second China trip since July earlier this month, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is the next senior member of the Biden administration due to visit China to strengthen dialogue and communication, avoid miscalculation and promote cooperation, so as to advance the relationship on a stable path and jointly respond to global challenges. Yet, with the Taiwan separatists hailing the US side's "rock solid" commitment to their cause and Chinese companies complaining about politicized and unfair treatment, the onus is on the US side to explain how the two China-related bills conform to Biden's multiple "does not", and how they can help the US manage differences with China "in a responsible way", as President Biden has vowed to. US House Speaker Mike Johnson quoted an old US military adage to conclude his speech on the aid package: "We would rather send bullets to the conflicts overseas than our own boys or troops."