“WE THINK THAT ONE OF the strongest means by which to improve transparency is the mil-to-mil relationship,” said Condoleezza Rice last week in Beijing. “That has really accelerated over the last several years of the Administration and we think that that’s really the way that you get at transparency issues.” What is the cause of America’s troubled ties with the People’s Republic of China? The secretary of state implies there is insufficient understanding between the two nations and the Pentagon can lead the way in building trust on both sides of the Pacific.

As a result of this perception, the Bush administration is pushing the Defense Department to step up contact with the People’s Liberation Army, the world’s largest military. So far, Washington’s efforts are broadening the relationship with China. For instance, after meetings of American and Chinese flag officers in the port city of Qingdao, Beijing’s official media announced last Wednesday that the United States and China had tentatively agreed to conduct a joint maritime drill sometime this year. The two countries have already held search-and-rescue exercises and participated in Pakistan’s anti-terrorism drills.