Sunday, May 13, 2007
The Sino-U.S. Relation and Its Structural Clash
Thursday, 28. September 2006, 09:24:11
By Ni LexiongProfessor,Research Institute of War and Culture,
Eastern China Science and Engineering University
The Global Time (Huanqiu Magazine)
Mar 29, 2004
http://www.uscc.gov/researchpapers/2004/04_03_18relationstructuralclash.php Reflection:
Globalization has given the wide spread of modern technology and increasing economics. Besides the developed countries, there are countries such as China taking the advantages of globalization for their development. And this article talks about the relationship between a potential strong power – China and an existing strong power – the US. Globalization has given a chance for China to bring in foreign technology and investment. And its economic power and political position seems to be rising. And the US has felt the pressure from China. This relationship between two nations then will definitely affect the order of the world.
There are several factors the author brought up to argue about the conflicts. These two countries are quite different in their “understanding of a series of cultural values such as freedom, human rights, equality and justice”. And as a nation with advanced democratic political system, the US wants other nations to enter the same systems. In fact, its power in the current system allows it to do this. It has brought insecurity to many nations, so as China. China, as a potential strong power will "eventually challenge the existing strong powers in all hutments of life including politics, economy and military". The author has also used a lot of case studies to argue that how one nation’s confrontation with its opponent will be doubly uncompromising, when a its ideology and national survival are not in conflict. The author also pointed out that thinking each other as a threat will then lead to a confrontation. When the conflict is exacerbated, it may lead to war.
However, besides this pessimistic point of view, the author also said that there are many factors which will contribute to the resolution of conflicts. Based on the Chinese culture and ideology of Confucius, China’s national character tend to avoid conflicts. Most dynasties in Chinese history have the idea of not invading small countries around it and using moral persuasion to influence peoples around boundaries. Many westerners claim that “ancient China seeking imperial suzerainty through moral force is the same as seeking hegemony through moral force”. However, the author believes that China’s behavior is not same as “imposition of one’s own will upon others”.
Also, there is one interesting point that the author pointed out. He said that the appearance of nuclear weapons might be a price for peace today. And with the power which is enough to eliminate its opponent, China and the US may remain a nice relationship.
In my opinion, the final achievement of globalization should be to bring the world a peaceful and democratic unified system. However, during the process, because of the different current cultural understanding and political system, all the nations need to face the conflicts and challenges. The current world has multipolarity, and the wills of powerful countries will then lead to either peace or conflicts. What do we want? I think it would be peace. So the problem once again comes back to the basic topic about mankind. Any mistrust will then lead to suspicion, misunderstanding and finally the political conflicts. So just as I mentioned long time ago, the main point here is still trust and cooperation. It is easy to say, but much harder to do. The future is still a myth.
[[your political expert Liu Sha]]
; i'm lovin' it
