Sino-Californian Relations

[Vidarr the Terrible]

It was that time of year again in the pacific northwest. The blue skies of summer were invaded by the grey clouds, carrying 9 months worth of rain and miserable weather. More romantically inclined writers would say that the nation was mourning the loss of their former leader, Chancellor Bogart. However, in an expected turn of events, his son Vidarr was elected by a good majority of the House of Councillors. Vidarr had two things he had wanted to perform if he was ever Chancellor. He erected a statue of his father just off of Highway 26, overlooking the Coastal range. It wasn't anything glorious, but he knew it was his father's favorite place.

 

The second, was to initiate diplomatic talks with Tianxia. California had long been a nation with no treaties, and only the bare minimum of trade agreements. Vidarr was a trade-heavy capitalist, believing in utilizing nations' specific advantages and production abilities. He also did not like the fact that California was just one angry leader away from a losing war, as his father was strictly against a powerful military.

 

So, Vidarr's administration sent a cable to Tianxian diplomatic officials, requesting a representative of their government to discuss stronger trade treaties, and a possible diplomatic, political, and/or trade partnership.

[Triyun]

Newly elected Prime Minister of the Empire Kim Pak-chae would be dispatched from Beijing to California.  The Prime Minister would be the first after the constitutional crisis between the Emperor and the Government.  Arriving he would wait for instructions to meet the Californians.

[Vidarr the Terrible]

The Prime Minister was instructed to meet Chancellor Bogart in Shasta City (fictional city), landing at Shasta International Airport. From there, a car would take him to Jefferson Lodge, where him and the Chancellor would have their discussion over a seasonal, local, three course dinner.

 

Vidarr, a tall, dark haired, professional looking man, would give a respectful greeting to the Prime Minister and offer him a seat at a lone table overlooking Mount Shasta and half of the sprawling Shasta City.

 

"Prime Minister, I've brought you here today because I would like to discuss a partnership between our nations. See, I'm a big fan of international trade, diplomacy, unlike other leaders of California, and I'd like to start with some trade and diplomacy between our nations, seeing as we're at opposite ends of the largest geographic boundary on the planet."

[Triyun]

"Very well let us discuss trade and diplomacy.  For the my government, I would discuss our approach to diplomacy and trade as one based on the norms and values of a global liberal order.  We therefore maintain fairly open markets so long as there is reciprocity with any nation, at least where consumer goods are concerned.  Our policies differ on ones which may have military utility, as well as of course quality assurance and biological agent controls on things such as drugs and food. 

 

That said it is also the policy of the government, that international norms and a liberal order are routed in strength and willingness to defend not just oneself but the peoples of the world and the principles of liberalism globally.  We're always willing to talk, and to solve problems through rule of law, but we also believe if the other side starts to move first, or is unwilling to match its words to action, liberalism needs a sword... and indeed sometimes the mere presence of the sword enhances the willingness of offenders to negotiate, and lack of one enhances their ambitions to bypass diplomacy.

 

This is the general world view which we approach the world of trade and diplomacy, ones interlinked with a broader political economic framework." the prime minister said.

[Vidarr the Terrible]

"Of course. We maintain fairly open markets as well, however our policies on stock exchanges are substantially less open, and just as well, anything with a military application is heavily watched. We have very stringent guidelines on food and drugs, and our ports and shipping equipment are virtually spotless to ensure as little contamination as possible."

 

"Our diplomatic stance is roughly the same. We would prefer a strong diplomatic front before we engage in conflict, although our sword isn't exactly as sharp as your nations. We have, until now, maintained a policy of neutrality and non-involvement in political affairs, however I wish to change that. Nonetheless, we agree that the best sword is the one that never has to be used, from an intimidation standpoint."

 

The Chancellor would take a sip of his drink and then lean forward in his chair. "So what kinds of treaties does Tianxia normally begin with, when first engaging in diplomacy with a nation? We're fully prepared for a 'the works' treaty, as it would be our first, however I understand that many nations choose to start low and then escalate as time goes on and the treaty proves to be worth it."

[Triyun]

"I believe in cutting to the point.  What is it that you desire, fundamentally people do what they want to do not what a piece of paper tells them to do, or pledges them too.  They find a way around it.  If someone wants to attack you they will attack you, if someone wants to ally and cooperate they will do that.  our personal tendency is that most military agreements aren't worth the paper they are written on if there is no good will, we've been betrayed by many an ally whose wanted to do something else.  

 

Therefore I'd prefer you just be upfront with what you want and your reasoning and then we can find out a path to get there." the Prime Minister said.

[Vidarr the Terrible]

"Well, here's the thing. We're not interested in causing military conficts, diplomatic incidents, or the like. We would mainly like to remain on our own. However, because our military isn't very modern in its size, equipment, or tactics, we'd like to have some form of foreign backup if some nation were to decide to invade us. Quid pro quo, we would offer any and all help we could give should you need our assistance in military matters. Internationally, we don't have any ties, so you have no reason to fear us backstabbing you. You hold nothing we want, and I'm pretty sure we hold nothing you want, geopolitically speaking of course."

 

He finished his spiel, thought for a second, and realized that in his attempt at a summary, he ended up speaking ambiguously again.

 

"I'll put it in simpler terms. What we would like is a simple defense, intelligence, and trade treaty, we could share our intel with you, and likewise. The question is, what could you want from us, to make that work?"

[Triyun]

"I think its important for you to understand here, when you speak of becoming an imperial ally and contributing to the warfighting mission of whatever coalition you command, it means becoming part of a joint force.  A networked force is more effective than a non-networked one by a magnitude of about 8.  So this would mean if you wanted to pursue this path, you'd have to be ready to put towards this effort not just a few random arms purchases but training and indeed possibly, in fact preferably for your own effectiveness, participation in various global missions which we and our allied coalitions under take from time to time.  It requires not just a technological transformation of your military, but a policy decision to realigning your foreign affairs torwards a forward leaning posture and a readiness for your operators on the military, clandestine, and even diplomatic level to take a forward active role."  The prime minister said.  "Are you prepared for such a commitment?""

[Vidarr the Terrible]

"As a nation, I can say that California is prepared."

[Triyun]

"Very well then.  Give us an outline of what you propose?"