I try to be neutral in the discussion below regarding US-China relations, as if I were providing the objective perspective of a visitor from another galaxy, not a Biden administration viewpoint with which you are familiar. Indeed, my comments that follow will be seen as heretical in most of Washington.
China and the US are in a competitive downward spiral which, if not reversed, could drastically damage the two countries and damage the rest of the world. In short, at the moment they are both chipping away at the world order.
Diplomacy and international institutions
I will shortly lay out proposed guidelines for halting this systemic decline in US-China relations.
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But first, let me emphasize that in my view in recent times neither the US nor China have made such specific policy proposals to reduce tensions. Rather, daily mutual termination has been the order of the day. Abandoning this path to global catastrophe will require compromise and political will on both sides. None of these have been present in recent years. The Chinese have an aphorism that applies here: “If you want to catch a fish, don’t climb a tree.” In recent years, Washington and Beijing have climbed ever higher up the tree.
So why is there no sign of political will and compromise from either Beijing or Washington? There are several reasons why China may be unwilling to compromise.
Diplomacy and international institutions
In any case, there are specific and practical guidelines for US-China relations that can help rebuild trust and reduce tensions.
What is remarkable about these guidelines is also what they do not ask for:
To reiterate – achieving mutual agreement on any of these measures will require negotiations, compromises and political will on the part of both Xi Jinping and Joe Biden.
It would be a radical departure from their policy today.
I want to make one last point. Half a century ago, in the early years of the Nixon administration, Dr. Kissinger negotiated with Moscow a basic political framework for dealing with the deep differences in the bilateral relationship. This framework with its intense bilateral diplomacy was particularly crucial in avoiding US-Soviet conflict during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
To return to the danger of war over Taiwan, there is currently no such political framework and no such intense bilateral diplomacy between the US and China.
To say it’s irresponsibly dangerous is an understatement.
This blog post was adapted from Ambassador Blackwill’s remarks delivered at the CSIS-Chumir Global Dialogue Commission, held on December 16, 2022.
Does the US accept one China?
Why does China not want Taiwan to be independent? The governments of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC) oppose Taiwanese independence since they believe that Taiwan and mainland China constitute two parts of a single country’s territory. For the ROC, such a move would be considered a violation of the constitution.
Does the US recognize Taiwan as a country?
As a leading democracy and technological powerhouse, Taiwan is a key US partner in the Indo-Pacific. Although the United States does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, we have a robust unofficial relationship.
Which country does not accept China?
Bhutan is the only UN member state that has never explicitly recognized either China or the ROC. The Republic of China considers itself to be the sole legitimate government of China (including Taiwan), and therefore claims exclusive sovereignty over all territory controlled by China.
Does the US recognize China as a country?
On January 1, 1979, the United States recognized China and established diplomatic relations with it as the sole legitimate government of China.
How is the relationship between the US and China today?
In recent years, the tensions between the United States and China have introduced new challenges – particularly related to economic and defense issues. China is an important trade partner for the US, but it is also developing its military capabilities, which poses challenges for the US military.
When did China and the US become allies? 1942: The United States and China formed a war alliance.
What is the conflict between China and America?
After the trade war escalated throughout 2019, in January 2020 the two sides reached a tense phase one agreement; it expired in December 2021 and China failed by a wide margin to meet its targets for US imports into China. By the end of Trump’s presidency, the trade war was widely characterized as a failure.
Will China overpower the US?
"China will overtake the US to become the world’s largest economy in nominal US dollar terms by about 2030," conclude the report’s authors. "But it would never establish meaningful leadership … and would remain far less prosperous and productive per person than America, even by mid-century."
Who is more powerful China or USA? The US has overwhelming advantages over China. The US outpaces China in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), technology and military spending.
Will China overtake the US in power?
China’s gross domestic product will exceed that of the US in approx. 2035, wrote the Goldman Group led by Kevin Daly and Tadas Gedminas, while India’s GDP will barely surpass that of the United States. in about 2075.
When did the US accept the one China policy?
In a 1972 joint communique with China, the United States “recognizes that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait claim that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China” and "does not challenge that position." It reaffirms America’s interest in a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue.
When did the US agree to the one-China policy? In a 1972 joint communique with China, the United States “recognizes that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China” and “does not challenge that position.” It reaffirms America’s interest in a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue.
When did the United States recognize the Republic of China?
On January 1, 1979, the United States established diplomatic relations with China and recognized it as the sole legitimate government of China; at the same time, it continued unofficial relations with Taiwan within the framework of the Taiwan Relations Act.
Does US recognize Taiwan as a country?
As a leading democracy and technological powerhouse, Taiwan is a key US partner in the Indo-Pacific. Although the United States does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, we have a robust unofficial relationship.
When did Taiwan separate from China?
On October 25, 1945 in Taipei Zhongshan Hall, the Japanese government in Taiwan surrendered to the representative of the Republic of China, Chen Yi, the Republic of China formally receiving Taiwan.
