Op-Ed Contributors

Edgy for now but not forever

By Niu Xinchun (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-07-30 07:54

Communications between China and the US have increased at a rapid pace in the post-Cold War period: dialogues and meetings are held not only between top leaders of the two countries, but also between government departments and cities, and even enterprises and individuals. And the two sides have set up multiple channels of exchange on the economic, political and cultural fronts.

The most direct result of this has been the involvement of diverse interested parties. In the 1990s, many big US enterprises benefited from their trade with China. That's the main reason why they insist on maintaining good relations with their business counterparts in China. During the annual debates in the US Congress, they have supported the move to grant China the most-favored-nation status. and closer economic ties can only bring their enterprises and citizens closer.

There indeed are many differences, even contradictions, between the two countries but none of them is historical in nature. And it is unlikely that they will confront each other on each and every of those issues. Therefore, it can be safely concluded that Sino-US ties will develop steadily.

But while interdependence may have prevented a confrontation, it has added fragility to bilateral ties. As a growing power, China has to redefine its national interests and will be more confident of defending them. After all, globalization has extended national interests.

Just as State Councilor Dai Bingguo said in July 2009, the core national interest of China is composed of defending the basic system and national security, preserving national sovereign and land unity, and maintaining the steady and sustainable development of the whole society. China will defend these interests with more determination and confidence in the future, and that could make a conflict between the two powers a possibility.

Of course, the two countries will redefine their interests according to their compatibility. Policy reactions and coordination will create an impact, too. So the future of Sino-US relations depends not so much on the developments in other countries and regions as it does on the two powers themselves.

The author is a research scholar with China Institute of Contemporary Relations.

(China Daily 07/30/2010 page9)