Reasons for Tension Between Beijing and Washington

I In recent weeks, humiliating events have been occurring one after another. Thursday, the American president received the Dalai Lama, sparking anger in Beijing. In January, Google threatened to end its operations in China after a massive computer attack. A few days later, China suspended its military exchanges with the United States and announced sanctions against the U.S. companies involved in selling weapons to Taiwan. François Godement, Director of the Asia Center at Sciences Po explains the reasons behind the tension.

When did the cold relationship between the United States and China Start?

Paradoxically, Sino-American relations tensed when Obama visited China last November. During this official visit, Barack Obama did everything to minimize the differences, but some incidents, such as the censorship of two major meetings with the American president in the local press, ruined the honeymoon. At the Copenhagen summit, tensions between the two countries reached their height because they were unable to agree on the distribution of efforts to fight global warming.

More recently, have the sale of weapons to Taiwan and the visit of the Dalai Lama at the White House fueled tensions?

Yes, but there is nothing new. The U.S. diplomatic officials are the same as during the George Bush era. Barack Obama waited a fair amount of time between his official trip to China and his meeting with the Dalai Lama. He met with the Dalai Lama without the media’s attention. The sale of weapons to Taiwan is usual. They are primarily defensive weapons, which do not threaten the security of China. The United States has not changed.

Barack Obama is not more severe with the Chinese?

The U.S. president has a vision of China that is fairly close to that of his predecessor. He admires the country for its economic growth and believes in the virtues of cultural exchange. That is why he has put a program offering thousands of American students the opportunity to study in China into place. Unlike Hillary Clinton, Obama is far from the Democratic groups that advocate for a tougher tone toward Beijing.

If it is not the United States, is it China that has changed?

It is more aggressive. China now deals with American officials with the same negligence as if they were European. It poses challenges to Americans and even attacks its businesses. In late January, in an unprecedented move, the authorities threatened retaliation against the U.S. companies involved in the proposed weapons sale to Taiwan, such as Boeing. China has changed its perception of its own new strength.

What changed?

In 2009, China recorded its domestic growth at 13 percent and became the largest exporter in the world. In addition, the collapse of the U.S. and international financial systems has reinforced its model. Its superiority is proven today. It will perhaps end some day, especially if the Chinese property bubble bursts.

A few months ago, they still spoke of the G-2, a sort of global domination by the United States and China. Is this still possible?

China has no plans for a duo. It wishes to extend its zone of influence. To do this, it is arranging for its financial sovereignty by diversifying its investments. In fact, in recent weeks, China abandoned its U.S. Treasury bonds. This is the first time in years that Japan has taken its place as the primary creditor to the U.S.

What is the perimeter of this zone of influence?

Unlimited. There is a surge of Chinese in Africa and in Latin America. China also grants loans to countries with large energy resources, like Russia and Brazil. China hopes to turn to developing countries rather than industrialized nations. That is its strategy.

Will the tension necessarily calm down?

The United States needs China, its political support on the issues of North Korea and Iran, and its support as a financier. Accordingly, the United States remains cautious. They also reacted little to the sentence of 11 years in prison for the leading Chinese dissident, Liu Xiaobo. Only a military skid could stir up tensions.

On which front?

Off the shores of China. China often complains about the maritime surveillance policy of the United States. In early 2009, there was an incident involving a surveillance vessel that was attacked by the Chinese Navy. This could happen again.

Have relations warmed between China and France?

There has been normalization without warmth. Our industrial and economic systems are increasingly in competition. China is building highways, trains, high-speed trains and nuclear power plants. This will inevitably create tension.