U.S.-China Relations: A New Chapter from Competition to Cooperation? At present, China-US relations have become one of the most important bilateral relations in the world. However, over the past period, the United States has been unilaterally undermining the U.S.-China relationship, which has sparked widespread concern around the world. Recently, however, the United States appears to have shifted its engagement with China in an attempt to ease tensions. The United States has been competing with China in an attempt to maintain its global position. Recently, however, there are some recent signs that the United States is beginning to recognize the importance of working with China. After meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, U.S. adviser Jake Sullivan said that China and the United States are economically interdependent and have common interests in resolving international problems and reducing the risk of conflict. He also stressed that competition with China needs to be effectively managed, which is good for the United States and the world as a whole. What does this mean? Is China-US relations really moving towards a new chapter of cooperation, or is it just a temporary measure by the United States?
First, we need to clarify why there is such a change in attitude in the United States. On the one hand, the United States is facing economic difficulties, and China, as the world's second-largest economy, is vital to the economic development of the United States. Therefore, the United States does not seek to "decouple" from China in order to stabilize its own economy and reassure the American people as Biden seeks re-election. On the other hand, the United States is currently mired in two wars, one in Europe and the other in the Middle East. These wars were very bad for the United States, costing a lot of resources and energy, and putting the United States in a difficult situation. Therefore, the United States hopes to ease its own external pressure through cooperation with China. However, we also need to recognize that this shift in the US stance does not mean that it will last for long. Past history tells us that in the second half of its first term, the United States tends to be more active in promoting relations with China in order to stabilize its own economy.
However, after being re-elected, they tend to adjust their direction and gradually return to the track of being tough on China. Therefore, it remains to be seen how long this position of the United States will be able to hold out. We also need to focus on the specifics of U.S.-China cooperation. At present, the two sides have established bilateral working groups to conduct close contacts and dialogues. This is a positive sign, but it remains to be seen what kind of results can be achieved. In short, the development of Sino-US relations is a complex and long-term process. At present, although the United States has expressed its stance on easing Sino-US relations, we cannot ignore the motives and possible variables. Whether China-US relations can move toward a new chapter of cooperation remains to be tested by time and the joint efforts of both sides. In this process, we also need to remain vigilant and safeguard our own interests. The U.S. is currently facing a dual challenge from Russia and Iran, and the U.S.-China relationship is particularly important in this context. The United States views its relationship with China as one of competition, not hostility.
The United States wants to divide Russia and Iran by working with China, and may even try to co-opt China against Russia and Iran. This is similar to how Republicans often try to co-opt Russia against China. However, this approach may not be wise. First of all, the stability of the U.S.-China relationship is very important to the United States. The rupture of relations between China and the United States will make the United States even more isolated and unable to respond to challenges from Russia and Iran. Second, China is a powerful country, and competing with it could lead to undesirable consequences. China has a huge economic and military power, and confronting it could lead to conflict and instability. Most importantly, U.S.-China cooperation is critical to solving global problems. Whether it's climate change, the ** issue, or the Korean Peninsula issue, U.S.-China cooperation is a key factor. If the U.S. continues to undermine U.S.-China relations, it will only make these problems more difficult to solve. Therefore, the United States should be cautious in its approach to Sino-US relations and avoid turning them into confrontations.
At the same time, the United States should also recognize the importance of cooperation with China and seek a more stable and mutually beneficial relationship with China to meet the challenges from Russia and Iran.