Opposing Mutual Respect between China and US Is Classic Zero-Sum Thinking

When U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited China last week, he twice described the China-U.S. relationship as “non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.” Because Beijing often uses this phrase to describe the new relationship between China and the U.S. as great powers, and because Tillerson was the first senior American official to seriously use this proposed [language], much attention was given to the occurrence.

Some scholars from Washington D.C. think tanks and the mainstream media have criticized Tillerson, claiming his speaking this way in China was a major “mistake,” that has allowed Beijing to gain a “diplomatic victory.” This reaction by some of the American elite is very surprising.

There are many differences between China and the U.S. Some Americans do not want to see mutual respect between the two countries; they believe America should not respect China’s core interests. It’s hard to prevent conflict between Beijing and Washington D.C. when it comes to core interests, but if “mutual respect” is not accepted as a fundamental principle, America is being very extremist.

If great countries refused to respect each other and only acted from their own interests, if they did not see non-conflict and non-confrontation as the bottom line, if they refused to consider win-win cooperation, and if they only maximized their interests, then how could anyone be in a relationship with such a country? Isn’t this classic zero-sum thinking?

Tillerson is not a lifelong politician, so he may have thought the words made a lot of sense when he first heard them. In fact, anyone not biased by preconceived notions would not be averse to this phrasing. Mutual respect and win-win cooperation have true universal value in this world. Someone who thinks there’s something aggressive behind this idea feels this way because they have diverged from the normal and common values of humankind. Their thinking has been alienated by the notion of “America First” so much that they do not know right from wrong.

When the Chinese heard Tillerson say this phrase, no one thought it equaled Washington D.C. making major diplomatic concessions. In fact, we have made thorough mental preparations for dealing with the Trump administration. It is gratifying to hear Tillerson’s speech and see how reasonable he seems; his expression is proactive for developing the two countries’ relationship and provides a better atmosphere for solving practical problems between the countries.

Beijing has never demanded that the China-U.S. relationship be the only medium for Washington D.C. to respect our core interests, and America should not fantasize about countries like China blindly obeying America. Mutual respect as a fundamental principle is inevitable; in fact, the two countries really need to discuss and adjust to each other so they can achieve mutual respect. The adjustment may include some friction, and ultimately any result will be mutually achieved and not unilaterally decided by Washington D.C. Whether or not America likes it, this is the reality.

China and the U.S. heading toward a new relationship between great powers may be predestined by history. If neither side could handle the fierce conflict and opposition and strayed from the path of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, what would happen to the two countries? What would happen to the world?

Some American elite are still so full of pride, and so terrified of any fairness between China and the U.S. Not only are they not following the shifting power trends between the two countries, they have also fallen behind the new age of globalization.

China is not purposely pursuing an equal relationship with America. China respects America’s advanced science and technology and its powerful combined strength. However, mutual respect is a principle we must insist upon. It would be wise for the American elite to try to walk in our shoes. If they were part of Chinese society, would they want to give up on asking America to respect China?

Taiwan, the South Sea, Northeastern Asia … China and the U.S. have always left some room for the other over the years while trying to realize their own goals. We believe that this new relationship between great powers is already part of the reality between China and America. Some in America may not be accustomed to using someone else’s definition and want to insist on using their own language, but history will prove that developing this new kind of relationship between great powers is the only correct choice for China and the U.S. in the 21st century.