Rice's China visit: Balancing the China-US relationship
- By Ji Mingkui
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 18, 2014
We should assess the strategic focus of the United States accurately. Though the current Ukraine crisis does impact the world, it is not the center of the global landscape and it is only part of United States' global strategy.
Regarding other issues, the United States did not prevent Japan from lifting its ban over the right to collective defense; instead, it encouraged it to play a more proactive role. It also continues to step up cooperation with the Philippines and Vietnam, especially cooperation in the military field, to jointly confront China. In the ASEAN meeting, the United States even used intimidating language.
It appears that China and the U.S. have not reinforced exchanges and trust, as President Xi proposed to build "a new type of major power relations" between the two nations in his telephone conversation with Obama this July. On the contrary, the bilateral relationship shows signs of antagonism, with the recent encounter of the two countries' military planes adding more gloom.
Rice's statements laid the groundwork for the future development of the China-U.S. relationship. But it also is noteworthy that what the United States said about the "productive relations" between the two countries is not what China has in mind with the "new type of major power relations." While China has its expectations for the future of the China-U.S. relationship, the U.S. has its own interpretation and plan. Thus the two sides need to enhance their strategic trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation and exchanges in various areas, properly manage conflicts and sensitive issues to ensure that the bilateral relationship will head to a direction of mutual trust and benefit and free of conflict.
Rice's visit paves the way for Obama's formal visit to China after the APEC summit in November. Obama will be more at ease after Rice's work. The China-U.S. relationship will step onto the right track if the second meeting between Xi Jinping and Obama goes smoothly.
The writer is a professor from the National Defense University PLA China.
The article was translated by Zhang Lulu. Its original version was published in Chinese.
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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