Since the assumption of office by President George W. Bush, US foreign policy evidently gets tough, resulting in continual
fluctuations in China US
relations. It has caused widespread concern and anxiety in the country. This journal hosted a forum on China US relations from a variety of perspectives with the participation of some relevant noted scholars and experts in Beijing and Tianjin on May 25. Their discussion focused on three issues: How to assess the current bilateral ties ? What is the direction of China policy of the Bush regime and how to judge the prospects of future relations? Lack of a solid foundation for bilateral
relationship since thew end of the Cold War and President George Bush 's tough stance toward China result in ever intensifying contradictions. Along with the rising influence of extreme conservatives in decision making, an irrational US approach has appeared to a set of specific issues. For example, the airplane collision incident, drastic qualitative and quantitative enhancement in weapons sales to Taiwan and the intransigence in national missile defense (NMD) deployment have all aggravated mutual links. Moreover, the deafening talk of a “China threat” on the other shore of the Pacific Ocean has excited strong disgust with Washington in China and resultant vehement denunciations of US hegemonic practices. Most of the participants to the forum traced the current state of affairs to policy guidelines of President Bush in designating Beijing as a “strategic competitor” and its tilt to the Taiwan authorities in support of elements advocating “Taiwan independence”. China has clearly been the target of Washington's current endeavor at strengthening ties with its allies and pushing ahead with its NMD program. But all this does not signify the last word in the Bush team's China policy because external and internal restraints would make the Bush administration return to a relatively rational course after a period of reassessments. Basing on the above analysis, most participants believe that there is no need for pessimism about the future of China US relationship. Unavoidable contradictions and frictions do not necessarily spell loss of control because the prices of conflicts would be prohibitively high for both parties. Needless to say, a possible accommodation requires common efforts. First, a rational approach is needed for handling bilateral differences. After all, divergence exists in the historical development, political system and cultural traditions of the two sides. Existence of divisions and even frictions, is, in a sense, quite normal. However, close attention should be paid to shared interests. In fact, remarkable progress has been made in trade, economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries, which conform to mutual benefits. In the security field, considerations based on mutual interests and obligations indicate that commonality outweighs divergence. And preventive mechanism against crisis should be erected to avoid the impact on overall relationship from diversity in specific issues. Finally, enhanced mutual confidence and mutual respect are called for. Only then can China US relations be put back on the track of positive progress.