U.S. engagement in East Asia : a case for 'track two' diplomacy

As the Bush Presidency draws to a close, the foreign policy community is taking stock of contemporary US-Northeast Asian relations in order to assess the challenges and opportunities that are likely to confront the next administration. China presents both in abundance, as reflected in ongoing tensions and misunderstandings in the Sino-American bilateral relationship, and the lack of robust regional frameworks for engaging China. In this article we assess the prospects for Washington to improve its relations with China through the mechanism of track two diplomacy: A form of statecraft steadily gaining broad acceptance in Northeast Asia as a mode for regional cooperation. We envisage track two as a significant instrument for the enhancement of the Sino-American bilateral relationship and, noting track two’s importance as a tool to incorporate other actors into closer regional cooperation, a basis upon which multilateral frameworks can be bolstered in the interests of ongoing peace and prosperity within Northeast Asia. In the first section we expand on the track two concept by examining its main components and functions with illustrative examples. The section that follows identifies major areas of US interest in Northeast Asia and aims to show how track two diplomacy might usefully be pursued within these contexts. In light of these considerations, our analysis culminates with recommendations on how the Unites States should apply track two strategies in its relationship with China.