US-China Relations Updates

Wearing a purple blouse and smiling throughout, on the morning of October 31st, Cynthia Carras, the head of the US delegation, made her final entry into the Beijing Fragrant Hills Forum venue.

This edition of the Beijing Fragrant Hills Forum is the largest in scale compared to previous ones. Over 1,800 people from more than 100 countries, regions, and international organizations gathered in Beijing, including dozens of defense ministers, such as Russian Defense Minister Shoygu, to discuss global security.

Cynthia Carras, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for China Affairs in the US Department of Defense, attended the forum as the head of the US delegation and participated in multiple public events.

US Secretary of Defense Austin had expressed his intention to meet with senior Chinese military officials on multiple occasions, but among the 1,800 attendees at the Beijing Fragrant Hills Forum, he was not present.

On the evening of October 30th, Carras attended the closed-door seminar on “Sino-US Crisis Management,” which had the most speakers among all the seminars in this edition of the Beijing Fragrant Hills Forum. Participants revealed to Chang’an Street Governor (WeChat ID: Capitalnew) that Carras did not give any public remarks throughout the seminar.

It is worth mentioning that Carras can speak fluent Chinese when exchanging pleasantries with Chinese personnel. After the seminar, when journalists asked if she could be interviewed, she politely declined upon learning their identities.

On October 30th, Carras briefly exchanged greetings with Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian at the venue. In the afternoon, while conversing with a Chinese general, she received a badge from the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences. After the seminar in the evening, Carras recounted this experience and showed the badge to her colleagues.

Despite sitting in the second row in the middle during the closing ceremony, Carras maintained her silence and low-profile throughout the trip. Although there were sightings of her interacting with delegates from various countries inside and outside the venue, she remained tight-lipped as soon as she learned that the inquirers were members of the media. Even when asked simple questions like “Are you enjoying your time in China?” she responded only with a smile.

Nevertheless, as the head of the US delegation, she remained the focus of media attention. Many people questioned the nature of her long string of titles, especially “Assistant Secretary of Defense for China Affairs.”

According to the Pentagon’s website, there are several Assistant Secretaries of Defense responsible for different areas, such as readiness, homeland defense and Western Hemisphere affairs, and critical technologies. While “Helping Office” implies an assistant role, there is no introduction to Carras on the pages of Assistant Secretaries of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs or International Security Affairs.

Furthermore, on the “Biographies” page showcasing military leadership on the Pentagon’s website, there is no information about Carras. In other words, her detailed official profile cannot be found on the entire Pentagon website.

Around 1 p.m. on October 31st, the tenth Beijing Fragrant Hills Forum concluded with prolonged applause in the venue. While conversing with foreign guests during a tea break, Chang’an Street Governor (WeChat ID: Capitalnews) heard many highly positive evaluations of the forum.

Sources revealed that China had previously invited US Defense Secretary Austin to attend the forum. In the current fluctuating state of US-China relations, this gesture demonstrated China’s sincerity and goodwill. Unfortunately, Austin missed this opportunity and was absent from this important conference on peace and security.

“It’s better to meet than not, and it’s better to talk than not.” Even though Carras took the guest’s place, it did not diminish China’s warm hospitality, nor did it shake China’s firm stance on pursuing peace and security.

China has made it clear that in a world full of uncertainties, countries should share weal and woe and bear common responsibilities for security. One should not impose one’s will on others, prioritize one’s interests over others, build one’s security on the insecurity of others, or deliberately provoke other countries on sensitive issues.

Silent Carras walked out of the venue, concluding her brief visit to the forum. It remains unknown whether she can bring the friendly atmosphere she experienced in Beijing back to the Pentagon. Can she convey China’s firm stance in maintaining peace and stability to American politicians? Can she relay the consensus of various countries in pursuing peace and tranquility to the American people?