At the beginning of the 21st century, the relationship between US and China have transformed rapidly as the latter surpassed the former in being leader in global economic and political scene. The role of china in fast pace technologies the latest development in hard, soft and smart power and artificial intelligence are key pillars in shaping nations’ security and foreign policy. The prevailing international order determines the dynamics of world politics. The contemporary world facing non-traditional security threats, such as ethnic sectarianism, Global warming, transnational migration issues, and resources.
Sino- American rivalry in the new age is a tussle for domination international politics. America’s principle architecture nineteenth-century world order, establish hegemony, facing a primary threat from the rising power China of the 21st century. The current nature of the international system reflects competition rather than cooperation, however, there is an increasing idea that the world is converging as a result of globalization.
Historically, the Sino-America relationship is in fierce competition, over political, ideological and preservation of cultural identities. Though the People Republic of China established in 1949 in a cold war era, the formal relations establish after Richard Nixon visits China in 1972. The nature of competition varies from time to time. In the era of interdependence, where states depend on each other in complex mechanism of security, economy, technology, and resources which are interrelated variables, the two powers in a mood for global domination
Traditionally, Americans followed the policy of protectionism but after the end of the world war II, policy shifted to address the global problems. In meanwhile, the Chinese portrait itself ” Hide your strength and bide your time”, but after the 18th National Congress party meeting and Xi Jinping as a new president, guiding a new ideology called “Xi Jinping Thoughts” assert that “The greatest strength of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the Communist Party of China; the Party is the highest force for political leadership”. The policy reflects the Chinese ambitions in the future international scenario and that was the challenging phase of America to counter this global aspiration.
With evident, China becomes a second-largest economy in the world, competing America in the global economy, taking lead in technology, effective weapon delivery system and highly modernize military equipment showcase itself as an alternative power in the world. These development trigger America to adopt the offensive policy, which Donald Trump administration announced in First National Security Strategy in 2017, define China as a “Competitor” threat for national and strategic interests of Americans worldwide.
Subsequently, the current pendulum of Washington- Beijing partnership is fluctuating over the multiple issues and crises. The economic competition is fault line of the crisis, Washington shows its concern on China’s economic model which has state-led development, not a free market mechanism. In addition to that, this model creates a misconception between the two states. This competition led to the trade war in 2018 which intensifies economic rivalry and ultimately impose a huge tariff on steel and aluminum and China retaliatory measures in exchanging supplies and goods. Similarly, Chinese set a new pattern of alignment providing soft loans to -developing countries for instance Pakistan in terms of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) building a connectivity infrastructure under the banner of the “Belt Road Initiative, to connect Asia, Central Asia , Europe, and Africa that threats American ambition for global power.
The second impediment in the bilateral relationship is Technology competition. In the global world, technological advance countries establish strongholds to compete for new multifaceted challenges. China on earlier phase of development relies on western technology for building military equipment and other telecommunications devices. But the recent developments reflect china’s capabilities to overcome this issue by establishing innovation center and independent research center, to avoid any future blockade by Americans. This technology tussle have seen in last year when America banned Chinese based Huawei Company to build a 5G technology and transfer to other countries. America act promptly feels it’s a national security threat, blacklist the company and issued a warning claiming China using this technology for spying.
Lastly, Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger once said, “conflict is a choice, not a necessity.” This expression illustrates Sino- American relations in ongoing tensions. In an era of complex interdependence, choices, and options are always on the table to resolve global issues, stabilize international order, shared economic prosperity, addressing global warming issue. Washington- Beijing policy to control world affairs damaging the international order. America intention towards the Indo-Pacific region to contain Chinese influence particularly in South China Sea, stationed thousands of maritime troops to shun any Chinese’s involvement destabilized the region. American policy to support the Taiwan issue, Chinese authorities shows displeasure claiming internal matter of china. China increasing changes its image represent as a world leader option to deal with challenging world affairs issues, by using soft power image and not interfere in the internal matter of any states, whereas American image diminished in the promotion of democracy and protection of Human Rights. American policymakers criticized the Chinese strict state regulation policy towards its citizens and Uighur Muslims in name of radicalization.
The future of Sino-America relation is uncertain, unclear no one predicts the actual situation, evolving circumstances, and paradigm shift in international system determine position who leads the world?
