China and US on steady path to warmer relations
- Source: Global Times
- [21:55 February 02 2010]
- Comments
But in the long term, if the US succeeds in making the changes necessary to regain its status as a dominant power, will its policies toward China shift? Historically, US hard-line policies toward China tended to be related to its hegemonic status. We must be careful in this regard.
We should not only have confidence in the positive development of Sino-US relations, but also make early preparations for the future. While the US is in a period of strategic transformation, we should seize the opportunity to develop ourselves in order to further take the strategic initiative in the Sino-US strategic relations.
First, we must speed up building a consumer-oriented society and strive for diversification of external trade, which is a long-term strategy to enhance the Sino-US relations.We also need to take the chances opened up by US attempts to bring us into various international issues, and promote reforms in the international system in a favorable direction to China.
Then, make use of the Obama administration's unwillingness to damage Sino-US relations, we should firmly oppose US measures that damage China's core interests. But meanwhile, be alert that the US doesn't shift the impact of crises to China in order to promote its own reforms.
In addition to the high unemployment rate and psychological effect of the decline in US power, different political forces in the US may incite China-related issues.
China needs to be aware of the domestic political environment in the US and adjust its position accordingly.
The author is a research assistant of the American Center in China Institute of Contemporary International Relations. forum@globaltimes.com.cn
