The world needs a stable Sino-US relationship
By Lin Hongyu |
chinawatch.cn |
Updated: 2019-07-26 14:13
A few days ago, a number of scholars from the United States jointly published a signed letter on the Washington Post expressing their views on the Trump administration's China policy. They represent a significant number of scholars in the United States who have a vision of Sino-US relations, which is a rational strategic judgment.
Firstly, the basis of strategic cooperation between China and the United States remains. As the open letter said, China and the US, as the two most important nations in the world today could cooperation on a wide range of strategic issues.
There’s traditional basis between the two countries, which focuses on international security, political diplomacy and ideology. During the Cold War, international security and political diplomacy undoubtedly came first. But then the Cold War ended, the role of international security and political diplomacy decreased significantly, while ideological factors, especially economic ideology (developing a market economy), became the main basis in Sino-US relations.
In addition, there is other basis for Sino-US relations, namely, shared global responsibilities and common global issues such as climate change, energy security, food security, terrorism, infectious diseases, international migration and refugees, which was mentioned in the letter, "China’s engagement in the international system is essential to the system’s survival and for effective action on common problems such as climate change. Therefore, the United States should encourage Chinese participation in new or modified global regimes in which rising powers have a greater voice.”
Although current trade conflicts have weakened the traditional basis, it is not completely gone, and the notion of developing a market economy is still the basic consensus between China and the US.
Moreover, other factors are objective existence that cannot be transferred by the will of individual, and as long as we live together on the same planet. I think these all require coordination and cooperation between China and the US.
Secondly, at present, as the open letter said, it seems that as the US side has not yet formed a final consensus on China policy, Beijing needs to take the initiative.
China-US relations are special, as there are great differences between China and the United States in the historical culture and social system, which need special care and guidance.
Different approaches entail different effects. There is a need to create a good atmosphere of cooperation. In the face of uncertainty, both sides should not follow the flow and do not need to exaggerate the negative aspects of Sino-US relations. Hyping the negative side of Sino-US relations will lead to the shaping of a negative pessimistic atmosphere, which will impede in the development of Sino-US relations.
And just as the words in the open letter said:“… many Chinese officials and other elites know that a moderate, pragmatic and genuinely cooperative approach with the West serves China’s interests.”
“Washington’s adversarial stance toward Beijing weakens the influence of those voices in favor of assertive nationalists. So, with the right balance of competition and cooperation, U.S. actions can strengthen those Chinese leaders who want China to play a constructive role in world affairs.”
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the US, and we also find that China's own development and changes, in many cases, provide a key variable affecting Sino-US relations.
For example, in 1969, when China sent a positive signal about improving Sino-US relations, it broke the ice of Sino-US relations in 1972; And in 2008, China responded proactively after the international financial crisis broke out; There is also active cooperation between China and the US within the framework of the G20.
From this perspective, China can play an active role in shaping Sino-US relations. And judging from the current state of Sino-US relations, China can still creatively and actively shape the course of Sino-US relations.
Sino-US relations, as the most important bilateral relationship in the world today, require active interaction and efforts between China and the US, and the world needs a stable Sino-US relationship, which is not only beneficial to China and the US, but also to world peace and development.
The author is Dean of the College of International Relations, Huaqiao University.
The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.
All rights reserved. Copying or sharing of any content for other than personal use is prohibited without prior written permission.
A few days ago, a number of scholars from the United States jointly published a signed letter on the Washington Post expressing their views on the Trump administration's China policy. They represent a significant number of scholars in the United States who have a vision of Sino-US relations, which is a rational strategic judgment.
Firstly, the basis of strategic cooperation between China and the United States remains. As the open letter said, China and the US, as the two most important nations in the world today could cooperation on a wide range of strategic issues.
There’s traditional basis between the two countries, which focuses on international security, political diplomacy and ideology. During the Cold War, international security and political diplomacy undoubtedly came first. But then the Cold War ended, the role of international security and political diplomacy decreased significantly, while ideological factors, especially economic ideology (developing a market economy), became the main basis in Sino-US relations.
In addition, there is other basis for Sino-US relations, namely, shared global responsibilities and common global issues such as climate change, energy security, food security, terrorism, infectious diseases, international migration and refugees, which was mentioned in the letter, "China’s engagement in the international system is essential to the system’s survival and for effective action on common problems such as climate change. Therefore, the United States should encourage Chinese participation in new or modified global regimes in which rising powers have a greater voice.”
Although current trade conflicts have weakened the traditional basis, it is not completely gone, and the notion of developing a market economy is still the basic consensus between China and the US.
Moreover, other factors are objective existence that cannot be transferred by the will of individual, and as long as we live together on the same planet. I think these all require coordination and cooperation between China and the US.
Secondly, at present, as the open letter said, it seems that as the US side has not yet formed a final consensus on China policy, Beijing needs to take the initiative.
China-US relations are special, as there are great differences between China and the United States in the historical culture and social system, which need special care and guidance.
Different approaches entail different effects. There is a need to create a good atmosphere of cooperation. In the face of uncertainty, both sides should not follow the flow and do not need to exaggerate the negative aspects of Sino-US relations. Hyping the negative side of Sino-US relations will lead to the shaping of a negative pessimistic atmosphere, which will impede in the development of Sino-US relations.
And just as the words in the open letter said:“… many Chinese officials and other elites know that a moderate, pragmatic and genuinely cooperative approach with the West serves China’s interests.”
“Washington’s adversarial stance toward Beijing weakens the influence of those voices in favor of assertive nationalists. So, with the right balance of competition and cooperation, U.S. actions can strengthen those Chinese leaders who want China to play a constructive role in world affairs.”
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the US, and we also find that China's own development and changes, in many cases, provide a key variable affecting Sino-US relations.
For example, in 1969, when China sent a positive signal about improving Sino-US relations, it broke the ice of Sino-US relations in 1972; And in 2008, China responded proactively after the international financial crisis broke out; There is also active cooperation between China and the US within the framework of the G20.
From this perspective, China can play an active role in shaping Sino-US relations. And judging from the current state of Sino-US relations, China can still creatively and actively shape the course of Sino-US relations.
Sino-US relations, as the most important bilateral relationship in the world today, require active interaction and efforts between China and the US, and the world needs a stable Sino-US relationship, which is not only beneficial to China and the US, but also to world peace and development.
The author is Dean of the College of International Relations, Huaqiao University.
The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.
All rights reserved. Copying or sharing of any content for other than personal use is prohibited without prior written permission.
