Highlights from Dialogue on U.S.-China Relations
By Dr. Yalin Xin
The following post consists of my reflections and insights from the dialogue on US-China relations hosted by the Center for China and Globalization on Aug. 30, 2021. Feel free to use the comment section at the end to continue the conversation.
“There’s no single system that works for every country. Every country needs to develop a system that is suitable and fitting for that country. China’s system has worked for China. If you look at the results over the many years, 46 years since I was there, forty something years since formal ties [between US and China] have been established, the results speak for themselves. So, I am a believer that, you know, our system works for us and your system, the Chinese system, works for China. We need to be respectful of that”
-Quote from: (Neil Bush, former US President, George H. W. Bush’s son, founder of George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations, during a dialogue hosted by Dr. Huiyao Wang, President of Center for China and Globalization, on issues revolving around U.S.-China relations).
On the topic of current U.S.-China relations, Bush referenced Thucydides’s trap, with US as the reigning world power becoming fearful of China’s rise, which was reflected in the harsh rhetoric against China especially in the previous administration and “isolationist approach.” He pointed out the politically motivated “not so good information about China floating around in this eco system in the US” that made China an easy target. Bush calls for better understanding of each other and addressing issues with China with “respect and maturity.” “As Americans we have our values we stand firmly behind. We’re going to express those values, hopefully in a way that is respectful, not figure-pointing or in a derogatory way…the ultimate goal is to come together as often as possible and as in many different ways as possible, and resolve challenges respectfully and maturely.”
It was encouraging to see positive exchange of perspectives and ideas with regards to the history of U.S.-China relations and current happenings after the two largest economies of the world were thrown into a downward spiral in its relationship in the past few years with politicians in Washington regarding China’s rise as a threat to the U.S. national security, economy and its democratic system. “When the fundamental premises of US policy toward China are wrong,” David Firestein, CEO of George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations, commented, “the resulting policies that purport to address those concerns are going to veer off course, and I think that’s what we’ve seen over the last several years.” In outlining how the foundation will facilitate U.S.-China engagement and collaboration, Firestein highlighted George H. W. Bush’s vision for the relationship as grounded in two core beliefs: 1. “U.S.-China relationship is the single most consequential bilateral relationship…in the history of the world.” 2. “No major international problems and challenges can be enduringly resolved in the absence of effective U.S.-China cooperation.”
The dialogue also touched on opportunities in bilateral cooperation including tourism, COVID-19, educational exchanges, etc. See the entire event for yourselves on CCG website: http://www.ccg.org.cn/archives/65522