Global Times: A Long-term Uncertainty in U.S. Policy toward China
Global Times, a daily newspaper under People＇s Daily Press, published an article that pointed out, "Up to the present, and for a long period time, it has been difficult for the U.S. to establish a clear China policy similar to its policy toward the former Soviet Union during the Cold War period. Likewise, China needs to deal with this lack of clarity." [1]
Here are a few excerpts from the article:
"While the U.S. describes a rising China as uncertain, U.S. China policy is similarly filled with uncertainty. During the cold war, the U.S. had a definite policy towards the Soviet Union, one of total containment and strategic competition. Unlike its clear policy towards the Soviet Union during the cold war, the U.S. has not, and does not expect to have for a long time to come, a definite policy towards China. China should be prepared to deal with the U.S. uncertainty about China policy for a long period of time."
"Discussions in U.S. Policy Circles Reflect a Division of Opinion
The main suggestions include continuing the present "hedging" policy towards China of both strategic encirclement and engagement; dealing with U.S. China relations on bilateral or multilateral and ideological grounds; strengthening security cooperation with Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India as well as the Southeast Asia; building up "soft power" in Asia by winning the Asian people＇s support and strengthening U.S. relations with the Allies in the region; striving to involve China in the "10 + 3" summit, the East Asian summit and regional summits such as that of the Shanghai cooperative organization; applying pressure on China regarding its currency exchange rate, the U.S. China trade deficit, intellectual property rights, Chinese military force expansion, democracy and human rights in order to promote China＇s domestic changes; and disseminating U.S. ideologies of democracy and freedom in Asia through economic subsidies."
"China will face great pressure from the U.S."
The uncertainty of the U.S. China policy means China will face tremendous pressure from the U.S. As the U.S. and China mutually depend on each other for survival, the U.S. will have mechanisms for exerting increasing influence and pressure on China. In recent years, interaction platforms and dialogue mechanisms between China and America have increased. At the same time, friction between the two countries has become more apparent. America and some European countries view the future development of China as full of uncertainties and hope to guide or force China to develop in ways most beneficial to them. As a result, many who give suggestions to the presidential candidate＇s have advocated a new conservatism, domestic changes in China similar to a political succession of power, and a simultaneous facilitation of Asia＇s "small NATO" to counter the uncertainties of China＇s rise."
"Lack of a "unified" solution
Mutual dependence for existence dictates that the U.S. China relationship will be one of mutual influence and mutual reform. This relationship also compels the two countries to directly face each other＇s unpredictable factors. Both countries will find it difficult to establish a "unified" policy towards each other. At the same time, China＇s policy toward the U.S. undoubtedly has both hard and soft sides, which is no compromise on the core national interest, but total engagement in other areas in order to resolve differences."
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