Using Chinese Culture to Eliminate Conflicts with the U.S.

The recent bilateral visits between Hu Jintao and Obama constitute a watershed in Sino-U.S. relations and also set the stage for an impending change to the global configuration of power. In this global production headlined by China and the U.S., the most important point is the recognition of China’s strength by the U.S. As described in the Jan. 20 issue of Time magazine, in this new world economic order, we will see a new globalized stage beneficial to all as supported by both China and the U.S. At the same time, the magazine laments, “the emerging world is catching up, and there’s not much Washington, London and Tokyo can do about it.”

The U.S. Has Suspicions and Anxiety Over China’s Rise

In dealing with the complex emotions as experienced by old imperial powers toward new powers, it will be a win-win situation if a negative acceptance of fate is morphed into positive acceptance. Paradoxically, all Americans see is China’s strength in hard power. Even though Americans have to deal with China out of self-interest, they feel worry, fear, suspicion and anxiety toward China from the depths of their souls, and subconsciously view China as a threat. Thus, the U.S. adopts incoherent policies in areas such as politics, the economy, the military and geographical borders, leading to the Sino-U.S. relationship wandering between [being that of] friends and enemies. Just as the White House grandly welcomes Hu Jintao, at this point of interaction between Hu and Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is unable to answer if China is a friend or foe when questioned by the media.

If the U.S. continues the dispute, not only would it fail to stop China’s rise, it would also maintain the zero-sum game. The old power is asking for it and would be unable to recover, while the new power would strongly rise up from the bloody battle. To eliminate the subconscious worry that exists in the relationship, other than political trust, trade interdependence and military exchanges, mutual cultural attraction is another means.

China to Openly Embrace American Culture

For China, this is not at all an issue. The U.S. is the only power in the world strong in both soft and hard powers, and China has never doubted nor challenged this. Even though the world is generally optimistic about today’s China, China is still restrained regarding the U.S.’ return to Asia, aimed specifically at geopolitical containment of China. With regards to the RMB exchange rate and trade imbalance, China is not only steadily appreciating the RMB, but also gave the U.S. a contract worth US$450 billion. In the latest issue of the Foreign Affairs Review magazine, Chinese Department of State Policy Planning Division Director Le Yucheng stated that at least in the next 20 years, the U.S.’ global dominance will “maintain and be undisputed,” and that the Chinese government should strike a balance between self-confidence and restraint.

The U.S. Should Learn to Appreciate Chinese Culture

Not only that, Chinese people also hold American soft power in great esteem. Hollywood blockbusters are favorites of the Chinese. In China’s box office worth tens of billions, the box office revenue of just over 10 Hollywood blockbusters is equivalent to that of hundreds of domestic films combined. American fast food and drinks are all over Chinese cities and villages. Apple products are now the hallmark of the fashionable young adult. For children of China’s most elite, the U.S. is the best place for overseas studies… American cultural products in China are not only garnering much profit, but are also carriers of American values, profoundly impacting the younger generation. Interestingly, according to Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations theory, Confucian China is not hostile toward Christian-dominated America. Instead, China is openly embracing and absorbing American culture. In contrast, France — which is of the same Christian nature as the U.S. — views the importation of Hollywood films into the country as a “cultural invasion.”

This shows that China’s recognition and appreciation for the U.S. is in all areas, and is both from without and within the heart. Some describe the Sino-U.S. relationship as a marital relationship. China is the sincere wife, and the U.S. is the suspicious husband. Between husband and wife, only when both appreciate each other’s merits and discover each other’s attraction, would the relationship be harmonious. Joseph Nye, who pioneered the “soft power” concept, points out that if both China and the U.S. gain mutual attraction, there will be fewer misunderstandings. The U.S. is closely monitoring the rise of China’s hard power, yet neglecting China’s soft power, especially its cultural attraction. A Chinese Sino-U.S. relations scholar, Yan Xuetong, has done in-depth research and found that the Chinese culture in general attracts 8.6 percent of Americans. However, this is not the reason for the U.S.’ arrogance and narcissism, but an opportunity to showcase the attraction of the Chinese culture.

From the Beijing Olympics, the Shanghai World Expo and the Guangzhou ASEAN games to the opening of Confucian Institutes all over the world, and to launching a commercial in the U.S. promoting China’s image, China is actively exhibiting its own culture, releasing its charms. If the U.S. were to sincerely observe China, it would discover a culture that is open-minded, profound and peaceful. Regretfully, toward China’s efforts, U.S. politics and media usually exaggerate their praises or praise superficially, and at the end the efforts are attributed to China’s desire to showcase its strength. Ordinary Americans warmly applaud Song Zuying’s concert and also welcome Zhang Yimou’s cross-cultural opera “First Emperor”, but that is curiosity toward Chinese arts and not true appreciation.

If the U.S. is as observant of China as China is of the U.S., it would find at the core of Chinese culture moderation and tolerance, and rarely bloodshed and tyranny. The national cultural traditions of propriety, wisdom, benevolence, righteousness and faith, and the individually manifested values of moderation, goodness, respect, thriftiness and consideration for others have passed on through the generations for thousands of years. When Confucianism was most prevalent during the Dynastic era, it was not military prowess but the attractiveness of the Confucian culture that won the respect and service of nations throughout Asia.

“‘Chimerica’ should be allowed to continue”* (in the language of Ferguson, creator of the “Chimerica” concept); the U.S. should learn to appreciate the Chinese culture. With a sincere heart, conflicts between the two countries will be resolved. Is there any better alternative?

*Editor’s Note: This quote, accurately translated, could not be verified.