Calling on "masters" for Sino-US relations
- Source: Global Times
- [22:32 February 07 2010]
- Comments
By Tian Wei
I've told you how exciting it is to be a journalist in China today.
Even some of the most frequently covered stories can become unexpectedly dramatic in the blink of an eye. Consider the changing face of Sino-US relations.
Witnessing the dramatic tango between Washington and Beijing has made many people nervous: Which way does the wind blow? How are the two economic superpowers going to deal with one another? With fists? What does the fallout mean for them and the rest of the world?
Many of us are scared and puzzled because we tend to forget political traditions and the rules of the game in international diplomacy.
Of course, some of these traditions and rules are not fair at all. But they have existed for a long time.
Remember that there is testy period at the beginning of every new presidential administration when the White House team is expected to show their colors toward China.
Although Obama postponed the inevitable for a few months, he is now dropping one verbal bombshell after another. This may be his version of catching up to the presidential norm.
Over the past 20 years, every US president has met with the Dalai Lama to score political points.
And almost every administration has sold arms to Taiwan despite protests from Beijing.
Each time, Beijing reacts strongly as it should because all those Washington moves have touched on China's "core interests."
And now, possibly even more so, because the Chinese public, especially netizens, have become passionate about the underlying issues.
Having said that, things have changed so drastically over the past 20 years that there is now an unpredictability to Sino-US relations that might encourage the two capitals go beyond their usual repertoire of accusations and counter-accusations.
China is a reluctant member of the so-called G2, but it has indeed become an influential player in the world: the biggest creditor of the US, the world's largest exporter and soon to boast the world's second biggest economy.
As such, China is an extremely important player on the world political stage, exerting its influence on issues involving volatile nations such as North Korea and Iran, while making its voice heard on controversial topics such as nuclear non-proliferation, climate change and the fight against terrorism.
