China would certainly influence the course of socio-political development of the world.
Hence the world community shows great interest towards them.These relations are full of contradiction, for contradiction is a way of life.
According to philosophers the motive force of development is the struggle and unity of opposites.
Opposites are at the both ends of a contradiction, just like the poles of a magnet.
As a super power the United States wants to maintain its hegemony and domination in the world. China, on the other hand, is opposed to hegemony and domination. The United States wants the status quo to remain whereas china wants a new world order. The United States is a state whose power is on the wane. China in contrast is a rising world power.
Contradictions are many. Yet they are natural. The existence of contradictions is not the problem. It is the way they are resolved that could become a problem. In international relations there are two well-known and time-tested methods of resolving contradictions. One is through dialogue or diplomatic means. The other is through confrontation or war. Just like the means their outcomes are also different.
Prima facie both states have expressed their desire to solve all issues and differences through dialogue. Yet there are enough issues that could undermine this desire and lead to confrontation. Examples are US support to the renegade province of Taiwan and the latter’s militarization by the US, the stand-off between North and South Korea, the dispute over maritime territories in the South China sea etc. Even a military conflict elsewhere in the world such as the Middle East could undermine the relations between the US and China. It is a fragile peace that exists in the world.
The belligerence of the United States is growing in inverse proportion to the diminution of its power as is witnessed in the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. China, on the other hand, needs peace for its development and growth. It has consistently followed a policy of consolidating unity and friendship with all, including the United States. It has demonstrated that it does not have hegemonic intentions toward other nations. It has peacefully accomplished the re-union of Hongkong to the mainland and is ready to wait for the re-union of Taiwan.
During the recent visit of US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta to China the latter proposed to the United States to promote a new type of military relations between the two countries. Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie at a press conference in the presence of Leon Panetta said: “The two sides should, within the framework of building a China – United States cooperative partnership, promote a new type of military relations featuring equality, reciprocity and win-win cooperation in an active and pragmatic way.” Liang encouraged the two militaries to develop substantial cooperation in areas of non-traditional security such as humanitarian rescues, anti-piracy efforts and medical assistance. Obviously he was pragmatic enough to exclude traditional military areas. Panetta reciprocated saying that they want to begin what the Chinese have called anew model of relationship between the militaries of the two countries.
Reasons for Panetta’s pragmatism are not hard to find. It was in July this year that China increased its US debt holdings by $ 2.6 billion bringing the total to $ 1149.66.
However, the outcome of the US Presidential election on November 6 will have a definite impact on Sino-US relations. The Republican candidate Mitt Romney has openly campaigned on an anti-Chinese platform and if elected could be a setback for developing relations with China. At present his chances of victory are less than that of President Obama. Even in the unlikely event of a Romney victory he would not be able to reverse the gains of former years and will be forced by economic and political realities to improve Sino-US relations.
The growing stature of China in the international arena and the rise of new powers Russia, Brazil, India and South Africa, which together with China comprise the BRICS would act as a deterrent against US belligerency toward China. China has built extensive and deep relations with Asian, African, Latin American and European nations that the United States would find itself isolated in any hostility with China. Therefore, the US strategy at present seems to provoke confrontations in China’s neighborhood to weaken China. This seems to be its strategy with regard to South China maritime area.
Jayatilleke de Silva
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