Nobody Can Afford China-US Hostility

“Shape the Future: Remembering 35 Years of China-U.S. Relations” is a book series compiled by the China Foundation of International Studies and its director, Liu Guchang. It was published on the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S. In this extraordinary series, senior Chinese diplomats and famous scholars present clearly both the new international situation of the 21st century and its new characteristics and trends in China-U.S. relations. Those authors reflect on the countries’ unimaginable 35-year process of working together through thick and thin, objectively evaluate their current relationship and explore how they sought common ground, drew on strengths and dismissed weaknesses, progressed on trust strategies, achieved mutually profitable cooperation, exchanged insights and conceived new ideas.

This new book tells its story from a variety of perspectives. With the theme of a bright future for China, America and even the world, the book asserts that the two great powers must be firm, daring and determined to build ties between themselves.

First, China and the United States are in the middle of a historical process that started with their crossing the Pacific Ocean to shake hands and that is ending with their crossing the Pacific Ocean to cooperate. Looking at the 40-some years since Nixon visited China, we can clearly see traces of China-U.S. relations’ progressing by various turns. In February 1972, Nixon’s trip to China and the publication of the Shanghai Communiqué started a process of normalizing relations. On Dec. 16, 1978 (Dec. 15 in America), China and the U.S. announced together the impending establishment of their diplomatic relations on Jan. 1, 1979. From June 7 to June 8, 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Obama held an old-fashioned meeting at the Sunnylands Estate in California. The two agreed to strive for stronger ties and to take a new path away from conflict and hostility.

China and the U.S. are now each other’s stakeholders. Together, they take on the heavy responsibility of promoting historical and societal progress. America has no way of restraining China’s development, and China has no way of challenging America’s world leadership status. Nobody can afford hostility between the two countries. Constructing new ties between them is not a question of whether they can or want to do so, but one of how they will do so.

Promoting new China-U.S. relations requires four responsibilities: emphasizing the new China-U.S. era, emphasizing strategy, valuing realism and valuing modeling. First, we are realists, so we must recognize that we will encounter numerous challenges and obstacles in our pursuit of new relations. These challenges and obstacles will mainly be with respect to America. We hope that America’s current leaders can learn from the vision and judgment of its leaders of 41 years ago, who opened the gates of communication between China and America. We hope to work together with America in adapting to world trends, starting by seeking harmony and positive interaction in the Asia-Pacific region, using our new ties to set a clear new direction and making necessary contributions to world peace and development.

Second, the domain of trade, investment and finance is an important foundation for China-U.S. relations. The two countries are in different stages of modernization, cooperating smoothly in industrial restructuring, business and trade. It is today’s largest and most diverse international cooperation, a huge achievement beyond imagination, and the future looks vast. The countries need only respect, close communication and mutual benefit to fully realize their new ties. This cooperation has potential for both the countries themselves and the world economy. Therefore, we must make greater contributions to our country ties and the world economy, to achieve development that is powerful, sustainable and balanced.

Third, the safety of China-U.S. relations is their most complicated and sensitive aspect. While the countries face rare opportunities to cooperate, they also face more serious challenges. On the one hand, in responding to worldwide safety threats, the countries benefit mutually in various ways. Carrying heavy responsibility, they must reinforce safe cooperation. They already maintain close communication and coordination in a good deal of international safety issues, and as their ties mature, their ability to control crises continues to strengthen. On the other hand, strategies they make together tend to progress slowly, and the safety of their relationship is not yet relaxed. The U.S. is pointing out China’s mistakes regarding core benefits and major safety concerns, now and then shaking the stable development of their relationship. The two countries’ military-to-military relations are also becoming a concern regarding stability. Therefore, China and the U.S. should have more effective strategies for discussing safety and trust; seeking common ground; reinforcing safe Asia-Pacific cooperation; achieving positive interaction; strengthening control of major, sensitive and unexpected problems; and avoiding antagonism. Following principles of respect, trust, equal treatment and reciprocity, they should strive to tighten military ties.

Fourth, China and the U.S. value strong culture. In this century, day by day, culture influences the multiple ways we communicate with each other. Moreover, it closely correlates with new concepts, ways of thinking and languages. Culture still possesses importance in a country’s strategies and policies. As two powerful countries, China and the U.S. value utilization of culture and formulate strategies to strengthen culture. When they understand and communicate clearly with each other in terms of culture, not only does it enhance national friendship, but it also suits their basic interests.

Last, the nature of China-U.S. cooperation regarding the issue of climate change is sure to govern which country takes the lead in addressing it. Both China and the U.S. are countries known for their CO2 emissions, feeling the greatest effects of climate change and causing the most economic damage. Their cooperation in response to climate change has vast prospects: It would be a win-win situation and a contribution to the world and can become a pillar to support their relationship.