China-US relations: history, politics, economics

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:42

Until the "Opium Wars" (a series of military conflicts between the Western powers and the Qing Empire in the nineteenth century), China remained an isolated country. The defeat of the Qing Empire led to the beginning of the importation of cheap labor into the United States - coolies. The Burlingame Treaty of 1868 was the first document regulating relations between the United States and China. As a result, between 1870 and 1880 alone, almost 139,000 migrants from China arrived in the United States. The Chinese were banned from obtaining US citizenship under the pretext that they were not of the white race.

Post World War II

After the end of hostilities that took place during World War II in southeast Asia, the Pacific Ocean and the Far East, relations between the US and China escalated (partly this happened under the influence of the USSR). The states continued to support the Kuomintang and took a hostile stance towards the Communist Party. After establishingChina The United States sent its armed forces to China. A blockade of the coast was organized, comprehensive support was provided to the Kuomildan regime, and Taiwan turned into a major military base.

In 1954, there was a positive trend in relations between the US and China, because the countries were ready to negotiate. The meetings began in Geneva at the level of consular representatives, later negotiations were raised to the level of ambassadors. The meetings were moved to Warsaw. During one hundred and thirty-four meetings, representatives of the countries did not reach an agreement.

The real beginning of the rapprochement began during the Nixon administration. After his election to the presidency, Nixon took several steps towards the normalization of economic relations between China and the United States, because it was extremely beneficial. During the congressional hearings, it was supposed to build ties using Sino-Soviet differences.

Restoring relationships

In 1971, US-China relations were restored. The American statesman and diplomat Henry Kissinger made trips to China, then the country was visited by US military leader Alexander Haig Jr. These trips preceded a visit to China by the President of the United States. Nixon visited China in February 1972. During the visit, the President met with Chairman Mao. As a result of the meeting, the Shanghai Communiqué was published. The visit led to the full normalization of relations between China and the United States.

Formal diplomatic ties were established in 1979. In 1998, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Jiang Zemin visited the United States. America was officially declared a strategic partner of China. After the NATO strike on the PRC embassy during the war in Yugoslavia, diplomatic relations escalated. During the strike, three Chinese diplomats were killed and twenty-seven Chinese citizens were injured.

US policy at the beginning of the 21st century

In January 2001, General K. Powell took office as US Secretary of State. Regarding the situation in foreign policy, he called the PRC not an adversary of the States, but a strong competitor and the most important trading partner in the region. The Bush administration declared China a "strategic competitor" upon entering the White House. Hillary Clinton has repeatedly noted that bilateral relations between China and the United States will become a system-forming and priority in the new century.

The Big Two superpowers

In 2009, the US ruling circles made a proposal to the top Chinese leadership to formalize the "big two" of the G2 superpowers. The project of an informal unification of the USA and China involved deepening interaction and partnership, global governance and determining the directions of economic development. Supporters of the G2 noted that in modern conditions, the solution of important world issues is impossible without the simultaneous participation of China and the United States, since they are the most powerful states. Thus, it is the United States and China that must take full responsibilityfor what is happening in the world.

China's position was voiced by Premier Wen Jiabao. The statesman said that the PRC would not agree to such a union. The decision was justified by the fact that China is not yet ready to establish such alliances and seeks to pursue an independent policy. The ruling circles of the PRC decided that in this way the United States seeks to solve its problems by intervening in the foreign economy. This would practically nullify China's entire anti-crisis program. Beijing has made it clear that it is pursuing a policy of maximum diversity in foreign policy ties. In addition, such an agreement contradicts the relations of China, Russia (the US is trying to break unprofitable ties between partners) and other BRICS countries to achieve a polycentric world.

Cooling of political relations

At the beginning of 2010, there was a significant cooling of trade relations between China and the United States, even military ties were severed. This was provoked by the decision of the Obama administration to approve the sale of a batch of weapons to Taiwan, China's demand to revalue the local currency, the activation of US military forces, and joint US-South Korean exercises in the Yellow Sea.

The volume of foreign trade between the US and China in 2010 reached 385 billion dollars. In January 2014, China's Vice Foreign Minister pointed out that since the beginning of the financial crisis, countries have been helping each other as much as they can. At the same time, the director of the Center for the Study of China in the United States noted that the country has become a major challenge for the United States. China is the largestUS creditor and strategic partner.

New generation of leaders in China

In 2012, power in China passed to a new generation of leaders. The "fifth generation" is too early to associate with the relevant achievements. Xi Jinping replaced Hu Jintao relatively recently, and the next change of power is scheduled for 2022. According to experts, the fifth and sixth generations of power have enormous potential. Relations of a new type were established in 2013. US policy towards China has not changed.

Economic partnership

US is interested in trade and economic cooperation with China. This is attributed to the increased interdependence of the economies of both countries. China has the largest foreign currency reserves and positive balance dynamics. The United States, too, does not stop relying on China's surplus and savings to finance its own budget. With the arrival of the Obama administration in the White House, ideological confrontation has eased and positions on economic issues have changed. The Minister of Finance promised to achieve an appreciation of the yuan and prevent the PRC from taking protectionist measures to protect its own economy. Economic relations between the US and China remain stable so far.

China is interested in maintaining a large sales market and attracting foreign investment. This makes it possible in the long run to maintain high rates of development and economic growth, to develop backward sectors of the economy even in times of crisis. Besides,the country needs funds to modernize the People's Liberation Army. Other aspirations of Beijing include another attempt to bring the yuan to the world level, increase investment, get rid of economic dependence. Particular attention is paid to the latest technologies.

Educational cooperation

The practice of teaching Chinese young people in the US has a long history. Already in 1943, there were more than 700 students from China in the United States, and by 1948 there were already 3914. According to 2009 data, 20 thousand Americans were studying in China. According to UNESCO, more than 225,000 Chinese students were studying in the United States at the same time.

Resolving the Taiwan issue

Traditionally, the issue of Taiwan, China considers the main obstacle to the positive development of diplomatic relations with the United States. The Chinese side opposes any kind of contact between the Americans and the Taiwanese authorities. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the leadership considers it inappropriate to delay the solution of the problem and does not promise to give up military force. According to representatives of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Taiwan issue is the most important in China-US relations.

A possible US-backed China-Taiwan confrontation could deal a severe blow. In 2004, the United States deployed air defense systems on the island, and in response, the PRC government passed the Law on Territorial Integrity. In 2010, the Deputy Secretary of Defense of the United States (before the delivery of a large batch of weapons to Taiwan) said that America is obligedensure the island's ability to defend itself and will fulfill its obligations for the foreseeable future.

Furthermore, there is concern that the US is trying to limit China's military capability. In connection with the purchase of fighters and anti-aircraft missile systems from the Russian Federation, US sanctions were imposed on China. In Beijing, these actions were called a violation of international law. The ultimate goal of the States is Russia, and by such actions America only violates the existing relations with a trading partner. Perhaps in the near future we should expect a cooling of diplomatic relations between states.