Michelle Obama Visits China, Forging New Model for China-US Relations

The first lady of the United States Michelle Obama arrived in Beijing today to begin her visit to China. The “first lady of diplomacy” is a tradition in U.S. foreign relations, an important representative used to soften international ties. The first lady of the United States also often holds a special position as an ambassador, one that strengthens cultural connections, propagates America’s image, builds foreign relations, and even disseminates American values to the public. She is irreplaceable in her function.

In recent years of Chinese-U.S. economic cooperation, geopolitical issues have created areas of harmony and dissonance between the two nations. With this background in mind, Michelle Obama’s visit to China certainly signals a change in China-U.S. diplomatic relations. Without question, this will improve mutual understanding of the strategic intents and fundamental differences of both sides, mutually strengthen areas of profit and coordination on issues, and even serve as a unique display of progress.

Mutual economic dependency is a settled component of China and U.S. relations. But looking into the future, what stands out are the changes that have happened to the structures of these two countries’ economies. Recently, the U.S. economy has been recovering strongly, whereas the speed of China’s economy has slowed somewhat. China’s economy has leaned toward a consumption and investment stance, thereby effecting savings, investment and consumption equilibria between the two countries. The U.S. decision to seize strategic high points in newly emerging industries, while also pursuing the revitalization of its manufacturing industry, will have a direct effect on China. In the next stages of industry planning, enterprise investment and creation of job opportunities, the areas where China and the U.S. will clash will come into focus. Areas of mutual economic assistance have shown a downward trend, and intersecting areas of profit between the U.S. and China have been on the decline.

These changes exert a profound influence on U.S. China strategy. The U.S. hopes that the strong emergence of China will, in turn, benefit the U.S. economy. It also hopes that China will not challenge the hegemony of the U.S. military or the strength of its regional political power. Putting it simply, the U.S. wants to enjoy the warmth of the fire, while not getting scorched by the flames. Consequently, the U.S. has two problems: On the one hand, because it wants to extract mutual economic benefits from a strong Chinese economy, the U.S. hopes China will avoid both slowdowns and social upheavals. But on the other hand, the size of China’s economy could possibly challenge and even threaten U.S. hegemony, and from this have sprouted fears of China and plans to contain her.

Up to this point, the climate of mutual profitability provided by China-U.S. economic relations has remained fundamentally the same. Moreover, at the first sign of change in those fundamentals, America’s China policy will go from a vague “protection and containment” strategy to a very clear-cut “total containment” policy. Right now, China-U.S. relations are at a crucial turning point, and both sides need to exercise great wisdom and patience while trying to work through the changes ahead.

Michelle Obama’s visit to China and last year’s China-U.S. summit both reflect the high degree of scrutiny being placed on this important turning point in bilateral relations. By using these unique vehicles of foreign relations, the U.S. is perhaps sending this signal to China: The rise of China cannot harm the fundamental position of the U.S. in the international order; it can only be of great benefit to it.

China has already expressed its true feelings many times — it hopes to build a “new model of great country relations” with the United States. China wants to forge a new kind of road that simultaneously serves both the rising power and established power, the policy being “resist not, and profit will come through joint plans; cooperate, and the map can only grow larger.” In its rising, China will comply with the current international order, check and strengthen the mutuality of China-U.S. economic cooperation, and protect the mutual benefits inherent in bilateral relations between China and the United States.

To tackle this strategy successfully, China will need to have both hands ready. From the point of economic stimulation, China can take the initiative and join the free trade zones and investment systems being spearheaded by the United States. Doing this will speed up bilateral investment and free trade, and help to expand the foundations of China-U.S. economic relations. From a consumption standpoint, just as the U.S. is insisting on a policy of total containment, China can increase its openness and promote peace. Under the World Trade Organization framework, it can establish a united country for new markets and develop free trade zones and investment bodies. This will create mutual rewards for both China and the rest of the world. It will let China continue to increase its contributions to global market prosperity.

The author is a researcher for national development and research policy at the People’s University of China.