China Playing the Victim

The U.S.-China relationship is the most important one of the budding new century. This complex dialogue between an established superpower and a rapidly emerging one has worked acceptably well during the last few years, but has been shaken in the course of just a few days. The U.S. sale of over $6 billion in arms to Taiwan and Obama’s decision to meet with the Dalai Lama have opened Pandora’s box.

Neither one of these events is exceptional in United States foreign policy. The disproportionate reaction by the communist regime, including undiplomatic language and threats of reprisals in various spheres, reflects the degree to which the balance of power has shifted toward China. To the extent that Beijing sees itself as a power in the process of unstoppable ascent, its politics will become more energetic and inflexible. Recent examples range from repression in Xianjiang or the brutal sentence of the most prominent Chinese dissident, Liu Xiaobo, to the Copenhagen climate change summit or Beijing’s discordant stance toward Iran, effectively making China the protector of Iran’s nuclear ambitions in the UN Security Council.

The disagreements between the U.S. and China include protectionism, the value of the Chinese currency and free use of the internet. But concerning Taiwan and the Dalai Lama, Obama cannot yield to Chinese pressure. Since 1979 the USA has a legal commitment to defend what Beijing considers its rebellious province and toward which it points hundreds of missiles. And on a matter of principle like the Dalai Lama — Washington recognizes Tibet as part of China — there is no political compromise to be made. China and the USA have no choice but to get along. And Beijing should quickly assume the global responsibilities that are inherent in its enormous size, not just play the aggrieved victim.