Despite their glaring differences in history, social systems and values, China and the United States are expected to get along well with each other. Zheng Bijian, Chairman of the China Reform Forum, suggests four Cs to foster the relationship in an article titled “Communication, Complementarity, Coordination and Cooperation Between China and the United States.” His main points follow:
China’s peaceful development has attracted great attention and won recognition in the strategic study community and among decision makers in the United States. Many facts have shown that the Sino-U.S. relationship is becoming more and more mature.
U.S. President George W. Bush once stressed that he was looking forward to a candid, constructive and cooperative U.S.-China relationship, the so-called “three-C” relationship. However, some recent U.S. policies toward China remind me of another three Cs: complex, contradictory and confusing. For example, on the one hand, the United States recognized China’s commitment and experience in peaceful development, but on the other hand, it still has a fundamental skepticism about whether China will be able to stick to this path.
To this end, I would like to put forward another four Cs--communication, complementarity, coordination and cooperation. I expect that China and the United States can work together in the spirit of the four Cs and focus on shaping future bilateral relations in the following five aspects.
The first involves strategic issues. Both countries should strengthen exchanges and communication so as to enhance mutual trust, dispel doubts and reduce misjudgment. The Sino-U.S. strategic dialogue initiated by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick is a very good platform for mutual exchanges. The more such communication opportunities there are, the better. The United States, the world’s only superpower, and China, an emerging country that plays an increasingly important role in the international arena, should constantly communicate with each other on strategic issues.
Second, concerning economic, trade and energy issues, both countries should further tap their complementary advantages and learn from each other instead of maliciously counteracting each other’s efforts. If they are sincere enough to overcome economic and trade frictions, both countries should adhere to the non-politicization of economic issues, respect each other’s national conditions and stage of development and work together instead of taking unilateral actions. Energy cooperation is vital to the sustainable development of the two countries in the 21st century. The advanced energy technology of the United States is complementary to China’s huge energy demand. U.S. national energy policies can be a good reference for China in formulating scientific and reasonable energy strategies.
Third, with regard to regional issues, China and the United States should strengthen coordination, avoid conflict and target win-win results. Some U.S. observers believe that China is planning a so-called “Asian version of the Monroe Doctrine,” in which China deliberates edging the United States out of the Asia-Pacific region. If such suspicions continue to spread, the two countries will be mired in a “security dilemma,” relegating bilateral relations to a zero-sum game. The best way to resolve these suspicions is to coordinate affairs through prior notice, post-event summary and frequent communication. If China and the United States can achieve a long-term peaceful coexistence in the Asia-Pacific region, it will be a blessing for the whole region.
Fourth, both countries should further their cooperation in the non-traditional security field so as to expand the strategic foundation of Sino-U.S. relations. At present, Sino-U.S. cooperation in this field is the most successful, with the fewest obstacles. Non-traditional security cooperation not only helps alleviate the mistrust between the two countries in the traditional security field, but also provides the two with useful experience in other fields and promotes the establishment of a broader platform.
Fifth, in a deeper sense, China and the United States should broaden their visions to promote communication between the two different civilizations in the spirit of seeking common ground while reserving differences.
In short, based on their political cooperation, security cooperation, and economic and trade cooperation in the past, China and the United States are supposed to abandon the “Cold War mentality,” expand cooperation on strategic issues, energy exploitation, regional affairs and non-traditional security and further the exchanges between the Chinese and U.S. civilizations. These efforts will surely help create a bright future for Sino-U.S. relations.