China And The United States: Why Can't We Be Friends?
Why can't we be friends Why can't we be friends Why can't we be friends Why can't we be friends I seen you walkin' down in Chinatown I called you but you could not look around
War, 1975
Seems perhaps we can be.
In a post entitled, "Why Bad News for the U.S. isn't Good News for China" Time China Blog interviewed Tom Barnett on the future of United States-China relations. Barnett (whom I regard as one of the most knowledgeable people on world politics) is of the view that the interests of China and the United States coincide at least as much as they collide. Most importantly, Barnett is also of the view that the powers that be in China recognize this.
In the interview, Barnett sets forth the following:
1. The United States "should play the role that Great Britain did [in the early 20th century with the US] and try to manage China’s rise toward being a responsible power." I agree.
2. Barnett does not see China supplanting the United States as a great power "for quite awhile" because he rightly notes that "China’s rise is not the same as our decline." Barnett sees "no inevitability to a . . . US decline."
3. Just "because China is rising, the US is number one, and there can’t be two number ones" does not mean conflict between the US and China is inevitable:
Well, I'll say again, there’s nothing inevitable about it, and smart people on both sides understand that. Look, I’ve had meetings with both young PLA officers in Beijing, as well as fifth generation politicians, and when I talk about this stuff, their eyes light up. When I talk about how the United States needs China, but that China also needs the United States, they understand it. The connectivity runs both ways, obviously in economics and trade, and I’m arguing it needs to be extended into the security realm. And this IS possible. The assumption—which is pretty widespread in some precincts in the Pentagon and among some US scholars-- that leaders in Beijing assume that bad news for the US—like the bleeding we’re doing in Iraq, for example-- is good news for China , well that’s just wrong. Take energy and the situation in the middle east as an example. Ten years from now, China will import 70per cent of its oil from places that are unsafe or unstable ( primarily the middle east and Africa.) For the United States, who is equally if not more `dependent on foreign oil,’ that ratio is reversed. About 70 per cent of our oil is from relatively safe places. Now Beijing, 10 years from now is not going to be in any position to safeguard the Straits of Hormuz. There is no way they can access those situations militarily or politically. Guess who they (the unstable oil producers) have by the balls: China. Not the US. Beijing needs the US to remain engaged in the Middle East and elsewhere, and anything that saps the will of the US to do that-- ie Iraq—is NOT good news for China. I repeat: these fifth generation guys get this. They understand that both sides need the other not just economically speaking but in terms of security as well, and they we have to work towards accomplishing that. [A military alliance]is not something that will happen overnight, but it is something that both sides should be thinking about
Why not?
http://www.chinalawblog.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-t.cgi/2135
» Tom around the web Thomas P.M. Barnett :: Weblog
+ The Korea Times picked up last week's column. + Then LexisNexis picked up The Korea Times. + Gossip Rocks linked that column, too. + The Ventura County Star must have, too, because they printed a letter to the editor... []
Comments
Go, Eric Burdon.
With respect to "he House of the Rising Sun" in the East (not Eric Burdon's), Barnett identifies (a) the vision that the USA has, and (b) the heavy lifting that the USA does, and which China has not yet been willing to attempt. Frankly, given the Chinese world view and her place in it at this time, don't expect any international initiatives beyond self-aggrandizement on the cheap. A joint cooperative mindset would be a fascinating development, but may be more of a wishful fantasy than a workable reality under present circumstances.
Posted by: Law Office of Todd L. Platek | September 4, 2007 9:10 AM
The sentiments expressed in the article could not be any sillier given penchant for many elements of US elites to percieve themselves as "defenders of the race". This is not to say that there is a "The Man", but there are too many ineffectual, manly man wishful type people close to centers of power for there to be any hope that the US would treat China in any sort mutually respectful way.
Not to say that there aren't many people like this on the Chinese side.
Hegemon fever...
Posted by: shah8 | September 4, 2007 12:32 PM
I left my 2 cents on that post. Basically no two nations can share power and no one could share with a country that still feels it has an ethnic right and "mandate from heaven" to rule the world.
Look at how many border disputes China has (among other disputes) as well as the fact that Japan is a continually demonized entity for the CCP to direct hatred towards and it is obvious that China is not fit nor has shown any initiative to take its place on the world stage.
Russia distrusts China so much that Exxon had its Sakhalin contract axed when it declared its intentions to export its share of oil and gas to China.
bad, bad China.
Posted by: nanheyangrouchuan | September 4, 2007 8:27 PM
I hadn't really previously heard of Mr. Barnett and I guess I should be embarassed about that. My feeling is that what he says is basically true, there is no outright reason why the US and China shouldn't be able to work cooperatively and there are smart people on both sides of the Pacific who are working towards that.
Unfortunately, there is the other side of the coin. Much like with yuan devaluation, there is the rational solution and the political one. Playing nice doesn't sell well politically in either China or the US. There is still a large segment of the US population that needs an enemy and "red China" is the perfect foil. It's just too hard a sell politically now and in the foreseeable future...
Posted by: b. cheng | September 4, 2007 8:45 PM
Because by aknowledging China as equal, we would have to also consider Chinese brands as equal - which can not be done!
Because why would you buy a Trek bike if you can buy a Giant bike (never mind the fact that parts of Trek bikes are made in China)?
Because this would lead to lack of confidence in U.S. economy and increased devaluation of the dollar/GDP.
- At least that's what a typical WSJ view would be...
My opinion:
It's time for U.S. to become more efficient. How can companies afford to have administrative and hr staff to be 70%+ of the company? Instead of simply outsourcing, corporations have to adjust their business at home as well.
Sergey
Posted by: China Internet Marketing | September 5, 2007 10:52 AM
Dan, this perfectly illustrates our position on China as a friend.
Pre 9/11 the Pentagon was secretly pushing for Taiwan independence in order to create a conflict with China:
http://public.cq.com/docs/hs/hsnews110-000002523531.html
When I read this a few months ago, Don Rumsfeld's "Pacific Theater Readiness" policy, the EP-3 recon flights upped to daily, suddenly all made sense.
Posted by: Charles Liu | September 8, 2007 2:49 PM
To respond to all the blogs and articles on this list, and all sites and newspapers:
China is worse than the United States. I have learn very quickly in the last years since 9/11 to hate my country and all it stands for. Or tries to convince the stupid people of the US it stands for.
The House, The Senate, The Administration; all liars, like dogs fighting for a soup bone. This country cannot be trusted any more than China.
China is natorious for copying books. I have found 11 violations at the number one private school in Beijing, Beijing Huijia Private School, Changping District. BLCU, Haidian District, is the number one foreign language school and has their own publishing department where they print copies.
Speaking about law on this site in the above article; just try reading the lawbooks. It is quite easy to read about copyright, labor law, civil, real estate, business, etc. And China has a nice law that says if Taiwan goes independent they will attack Taiwan.
They are very serious about this. I have friends and ties into the government and other areas. They are very serious. Just as serious as when they killed hundreds of students at Tien'amen and lied about it. Having a tape of this incident from 10 years ago and having seen it, I am telling you the truth.
Clinton and Gore should be shot and tried for treason. And in that order. They sold out the US when they sold China military info. and machines. They are traitors and deserve to die.
In China you have to have contacts to do anything in business. Face is very, very important.
The US, on the other hand, is stupid and gives tours to Chinese and Russian Generals and Admirals at NORAD. Now, I understand we provide certain info. to, shall I say, our enemies. They are by no means our allies. Even though we are not at war with them the American people need to realize and make a distinction that we are not friends just because we are not at war with them.
NORAD is also being moved out of the mountain they have called home for over 45 years and they are moving to a base near or in Colorado Springs. Because there is no "cold war" era anymore according to one General I heard say this.
China will hit the US with information warfare and turn this country unside down. The only way the US is going to learn a lesson.
Homeland Security has not done their job and the US citizen, 85% plus, has their head so far up their ass they are never going to see daylight again.
Hilliary Clinton is a smart but dangerous person. We need a President who has militsry experience. Not someone who will pull out of Afganistan and run into Iraq like Bush did.
No real Christian should aspire to become Prseident if he cannot tell the truth. Most Americans do not even know where the oil is located that the US is after.
China has strong ties with their Brother, Russia.
The US can never be friends with others when people like Hu Jin Tao run China and a former KGB, Puttin, who is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Russians, run their country and we can not find decent politians here.
Why do the stupid idiots of MA. keep reelecting Kennedy when he killed a woman who he was having an adultress affair with and he was drunk?
This country is becoming unraveled and the people have no clue as to how much power they have to get rid of the garbage in their city hall, the state capital, their senate, their white house.
I always wanted to start a website that said, "It time to sweep America clean." The logo would be the guy from Fractured Fairy Tales after Mr. Peabody and pushing his broom.
The US was attacked because people hate our government and our President. I am invited all over the world to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran. They tell me they love Americans, they just hate our government. Makes you wonder, doesn't it.
Imagine if Israel comes under heavy attack from Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan. Will China rush in before us, with Japan? They have to protect the oil and the oil fields. Even though Russia has, what may be the largest oil reserve in Siberia, they may come into it too.
Will Bush protect Taiwan? Do we even have the manpower? Do you realize that soldiers are, "disgusted" they say that americans are not aware of what they are going through and are more interested in American Idol and Desperate Hosuewives?
Who the hell would want to be friends with us?
In closing, do you know that latest polls say that 90% claim to be Christians? That is such a laugh. I don't see single digit stats on killings, rape, spouse abuse, child abuse, etc. Do you? I will die laughing the day I hear 100% claim this.
Wake Up! Gewt on the phone for five minutes, write a two paragraph letter, do something. Let your senator and congressperson know you will vote for the other erson if they do not filfill their promisese and change things for the better of the country. This is your country just as much as theirs. Your kids, your grandkids. This is their country too. And when your ancestors came here 500 and 250 years ago, like mine, then you expect more.
Go out and make a difference.
Posted by: David | September 12, 2007 10:41 AM
You people are crazy if you think china can't wait to get rid of us. Once Russia gets on their feet financially and they are getting there, we are in real trouble. They have already been training together. While we're at it, why does china feel the need to hack the pentagon's database? Things that make you say WTF?
Posted by: aaron | November 22, 2008 11:12 AM