US, China Destined To Cooperate

Yuba Nath Lamsal
Like it or not, the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China are destined to work together in the present global context. Economically, they are so interlinked that they cannot do anything else other than cooperate with one another, despite having diverse and different approaches on global affairs.
Global powers
Both the countries are global powers today. The United States is a super power already, and China is a super power in waiting. The fate of humanity, therefore, hinges on how these two global giants behave and act. This fact was best reflected in the overtures of the Chinese and American leaders during the recent visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to the United States.
During the sojourn, the Chinese president spoke highly of the need for strengthening multi-sectoral cooperation between the United States and China, ranging from the economy and technology to strategic matters. This, according to President Hu, is necessary not only for the benefit of the two countries and the two peoples but also for the interest of entire humanity.
In response, American President Barack Obama made it clear that the United States had nothing to fear from a rising China and wanted to collaborate to rescue the world from history’s worst financial crisis. According to President Obama, the United States welcomes China’s rise.
The overtures of the US and Chinese presidents are indicative of the fact that both the countries need one another. Both the United States and China have reservations on certain issues, but they are prepared to bury their differences and apprehensions in the greater interest of the two countries and the world.
The ground reality is that both the US and China cannot ignore the other. The United States - the world’s dominant power - is a priority in the foreign policy of all the countries. China is no exception, and Beijing attaches greater importance to its relationship and cooperation with the United States.
China is in the priority list of the foreign policy of the United States, too, because of its economic power, huge market and intricate and entwined business relations between the two countries as well as China’s growing clout and assertiveness in global politics.
Previously, Japan was America’s priority in Asia. It still is because of Japan’s economy and Washington’s greater obligation towards Japan’s security. But Washington’s relations with Tokyo are different and special, which are complimentary, whereas there is a sense of competition between Washington and Beijing. Their approach is, therefore, cautious and calculated so that none would be in a position to undermine the other.
Although the two countries have agreed to find a common ground to work together in global affairs, they need to amicably identify what exactly is that common ground. It is necessary to avoid clashes of interests between these two global powers. China has time and again made it clear that it is not a competitor of any country and would by no means pose a threat to the world.
President Hu has repeatedly tried to assure the United States, its neighbours in East Asia and the Pacific rim as well as countries in South Asia that China’s rise would not harm and hurt the interest and sentiments of any country, rather it would help build a peaceful, just and safer world. However, the United States and other countries are not in a position to trust Beijing.
China is currently the world’s fastest growing and second largest economy. Predictions are that China would outrace the United States in the next 20 years to become the world’s largest economy. As the sole super power, the United Stated sees a threat to its global status due to the rapid rise of China. Beijing is growing in leaps and bounds not only economically but also militarily. The other countries that aspire to become regional powers in Asia are also sceptical and jealous of China’s growth and modernisation.
However, the position and status of the United States will not be replaced by any country in the next 50 years or so although some pundits have predicted otherwise.
In terms of technological and military capability also, the United States would continue to dominate the world for at least the next 50 years. Even if China overtakes the US in terms of GDP growth also, Beijing would still be far behind in the level of development and technological innovation and would have to depend on the United States for technological back up for its modernisation, including the military. Washington, therefore, need not worry and fear China perhaps for at least half a century more. Beyond that nothing is predictable.
The United States is the global power with unmatched economic and military strength. Its presence is worldwide so is its international obligation. The United States has special obligations in East Asia and the Pacific rim because several countries in this region depend entirely on the United States for their security. The United States is, therefore, under a compulsion to have a strong presence in Asia and the Pacific.
But the rise of China as a regional super power of Asia has created a compulsion for the United States to work closely and cooperate with Beijing. Any attempt to isolate or contain China, as is seen in the US policy on East and South Asia, would ultimately invite clashes and competition between Washington and Beijing in terms of military buildup, which would not be in the strategic interest of the world as well as for peace and stability in the region.
Moreover, the super power status of the United States would be at stake in Asia and the Pacific region if Washington continued with the policy of promoting other regional powers to contain and counter China. Washington must understand that unless it keeps a strong presence in Asia and the Pacific region, the United States, as once observed by Singapore’s elderly leader Lee Kuan Yew, would lose its hold on the world. The interest of both the countries and also the world lies, therefore, in close cooperation between the United States and China.
The Obama administration seems to be well aware of the consequences of pursuing a containment policy viz a viz China and the benefits of having good rapport with Beijing. It is for this reason that there has been a shift in the China policy previously pursued by George Bush, and Obama has adopted some conciliatory approaches with China on several matters.
China containment
Some hawks in Washington are critical of Obama’s China policy and want a more aggressive stance against China on several issues. They seem to have forgotten the role Beijing played in the difficult days during the Cold War era. Despite the ideological closeness - as the Soviet Union and China were communist countries - Beijing stood firmly against Moscow’s expansionist and interventionist policy and cooperated with Washington.
A China containment policy may create another Cold War in the world. It is now Washington’s turn to reciprocate and work together with Beijing for the greater interest, peace and stability of the world.

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