President Barack Obama will leave office in a little more than six months. I still remember that when he took office eight years ago, we pinned great hopes on him improving China-US relations. We have seen him endeavoring to develop the China-US relationship to safeguard American interests. Although the relationship has experienced ups and downs in the past eight years, there has been no big rise or fall. While there have been both cooperation and differences, the former has been the mainstream. The frequent contacts between President Obama and Chinese leaders, and his candid discussions with President Xi Jinping about the development of a new model of major-power relations between China and the US, have been very impressive.
Developing a new model of major-power relations represents great pioneering work out of historical necessity. As an old Chinese saying goes, the efforts made today will benefit many future generations. Now that much agreement has been reached and much experience has been accumulated, with added effort the objective may be gradually achieved. Such a situation will benefit not only the two countries but also the world at large. For the US, it will go down in history as an achievement comparable to or even more important than the developments of China-US relations during the Nixon and Carter administrations.
To develop this new model, it is necessary to seriously reconsider what the barriers are and how to overcome them.
There are many books and manuscripts on China-US relations on my desk. I happened to pick up an article on China-US rivalry by a Taiwanese author published on Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao on Sept. 4, 2010. The author quoted several senior American military and government officials, thus reflecting American thought and propositions. The article therefore helps explain the sticking points that persist today and hamper the development of a new model of relations.
First, the article talks about the pendulum swing of America's policy towards China between idealism and realism. As the global superpower, the US naturally does not feel at ease in face of the rising power of China. So it has always demanded great transparency in Chinese policies.
The transparency suspense gave rise to doubts, which then disrupts mutual trust. How transparent indeed are Chinese policies? Let me cite a few examples. The 13th five-year plan, including military expenditures contained therein, is very transparent, laying bare the direction of development for China in the coming five years to the whole world. The purposes and measures of Chinese diplomacy are also very transparently stated by President Xi Jinping. In short, our undertaking is one to seek cooperation and win-win with all other countries in the world. To develop new models of international relations centering on cooperation and win-win is a strategic choice made by the Communist Party of China on the basis of the trend of the times and the fundamental interests of China. It reflects a common desire of the Chinese people and people elsewhere. In face of the profound changes in the international situation and the objective requirement for countries to pull together in times of trouble, countries should jointly push for the development of a new type of international relationship featuring cooperation and win-win. People of all countries should work together to safeguard world peace and promote common development.
Besides, China has always honored its words with deeds, which even people with anti-Chinese sentiments cannot deny.
As to the idealism and realism in American policies towards China, it reminds me of General Joseph Stilwell, the Chief of Staff designated by the American President to the China Theatre. He was a great realist. He was able to look beyond ideological differences and insist on KMT-CPC unity against Japanese invaders. He started the American government's and military's cooperation with the CPC and has been known as “a true friend of the Chinese people”.
Second, the article touches upon the American concern rapid Chinese development and the view that it would be unimaginable and abnormal should the US do not make corresponding preparations to balance or hedge against China as the latter gains strength. It is thus clear that the familiar rebalancing strategy of the US unambiguously targets China.
As indicated in some fair opinions, the US tends to overestimate China's power and misinterpret China's peaceful development path, imperceptibly adopting a hostile attitude towards China, which should actually be a partner for the US. While responding to the author's argument that 'the US would be making a horrible enemy for itself if the US regards China as an enemy', a former US assistant secretary of defense was straightforward and said that it would be a self-fulfilling prophecy if the US did not change its way of thinking. To be frank, the thinking that must be changed belongs to a Cold War mentality.
Actually the state of China-US relations is not so severe. As Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai has argued, although tough problems between the two countries often hit the headlines, China and the US maintain very close cooperation on virtually all important global issues. Such cooperation is not only out of goodwill between the two counties, but also based on their fundamental interests and their shared responsibilities in the world.
Third, the article also shed light on the randomness of America's strategic decision-making. Stanley Roth, former assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told the author after leaving office that except for some strategic guidance principles American diplomacy is mostly reactive, giving priority to handling accidents and fighting fires. Such a description actually confirms that there are indeed misjudgments in American strategies. This reminds me of a recent reflection by President Obama. He said that he was ill-prepared for follow-ups after militarily intervening in Libya and overthrowing Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, and that it was the worst moment during his presidential terms. 'And I thought we did the right thing,' said the president.
This author deeply believes that much can be accomplished before Obama leaves office in developing the new model of major power relations and expects such accomplishments.
