Time for joint Sino-US action is here

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By Dennis V. Hickey (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-29 07:44

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China - a major event in world politics. The groundwork for rapprochement between the two sides was laid in 1972 by Richard M. Nixon, then US president, and Chairman Mao Zedong.

Chairman Mao and Nixon managed to rise above misperceptions, stereotypes and ideologies that had hampered bilateral ties for decades. Acting on their instructions, diplomats hammered out the Shanghai Communiqu that laid the groundwork for the normalization of ties. The agreement proclaimed that though the two countries understood there were fundamental differences in their social systems and foreign policies, they should set them aside and work toward common overarching goals and objectives.

It was realism and mutual respect that formed a solid basis for the development of this important relationship. After the release of the Shanghai Communiqu, the US and the mainland began to coordinate policies designed to promote a mutually advantageous global security order. Economic and cultural exchanges, too, accelerated markedly. And formal diplomatic ties were established in 1979.

Since then, Sino-US ties have been characterized by a series of "ups and downs". Massive shifts in the world order have posed a challenge to the ties, which at times have been complicated by domestic politics, too. But all too often it appeared that the two sides had failed to heed the sage advice of Nixon and Chairman Mao. For instance, officials in Washington and Beijing sometimes let differences over relatively minor matters obstruct cooperation on issues of much greater importance.

Too much ink has been spilled over the problems that have occasionally plagued Sino-US ties, and the challenges to greater cooperation are well known. On this anniversary, however, it would be more appropriate to outline some of the reasons for optimism over the prospects for a stable and constructive relationship.

The recent moves of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan authorities have raised hopes of a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan question, with economic, social and cultural trends nudging the two sides in that direction. The US has welcomed these developments. Prospects for peace and stability in the Western Pacific region are rising.

The turbulence in financial markets across the world is deeply troubling. But it has served to underscore the fact that we live in an increasingly interdependent world.

The US and China realize that both of them contribute to regional and global prosperity. The chances of Washington and Beijing adopting pragmatic, coordinated and long-term policies to revive the global economy are growing. A new global monetary order - a system in which all nations will share the burdens and benefits - cannot be ruled out.

It is true that the strategic rationale for Sino-US ties crumbled with the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1989. But other threats - particularly the scourge of international terrorism - have grown markedly and pushed the two sides toward greater security coordination.

Furthermore, the US and China both recognize the growing dangers of nuclear proliferation. The two sides have been cooperating with other countries to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. This concerted action could lead to global efforts to establish a more credible non-proliferation regime in the short- to mid-term future.

The US and China have a common interest, too, in preventing environmental degradation and fighting climate change, which threaten the very existence of humanity. Their cooperation is all the more essential because the two countries are major contributors to these problems.

Indeed, the international community is calling on Washington and Beijing to seize the opportunity and work together and provide the leadership required to resolve the crisis.

Many other examples can be cited that make joint or parallel Sino-US action necessary. For instance, the two countries must cooperate to cope with a wide range of critical global problems, from dwindling energy supply to health issues.

But the central point has to be made clear. As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic ties, the US and China should seize the opportunity to help the international community resolve the pressing issues. leaders of both countries must set aside their minor differences and work together to pursue common purposes that have the capability to change everyone's life for the better.

The author is James F. Morris professor of political science at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, USA.

(China Daily 04/29/2009 page9)