Efforts to Stabilize US-China Relations

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Efforts to Stabilize US-China Relations Amidst Global Challenges 

Three top American officials recently traveled to Beijing with a challenging mission: to stabilize the world's most consequential and contentious bilateral relationship between the United States and China. 

The relationship had reached a historical low over the past year, compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and tensions over trade, tech, and human rights. 

Beijing's decision to sever multiple lines of communication with Washington following then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August last year further strained the already fragile ties. 

In an attempt to restore dialogue, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury chief Janet Yellen, and climate envoy John Kerry made sequential visits to Beijing in recent weeks, meeting with Chinese leaders, including Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and top diplomat Wang Yi. 

The meetings were seen as a significant step forward from the low point in bilateral relations, but concrete agreements were notably absent, leaving questions about the extent of collaboration between the two world powers on global issues. 

The success of efforts to combat climate change depends heavily on cooperation between the US and China. 

Furthermore, their relationship impacts various areas, including:

• Global Supply Chains and 
• The Risk of Conflict in the Indo-Pacific. 

However, underlying differences and sharp baseline perceptions remain major stumbling blocks to meaningful collaboration.

Perception or Misperception 

China perceives the US as suppressing its development and global rise, while the US views China as increasingly authoritarian and assertive, threatening its national security and the world order. 

Expectations for major breakthroughs on cooperation were already low going into the meetings, given these differing perceptions. 

Beijing and Washington seem unwilling to compromise and meet each other halfway, which further complicates the possibility of substantive agreements. 

While the recent visits served to reduce the risk of miscalculation and improve communication, they fell short of significantly advancing bilateral ties. 

Issues and Way Forward

The range of grievances between the two powers includes critical technology export restrictions, trade tariffs, military operations in the South China Sea, and relations with Taiwan. 

Overcoming these contentious issues could potentially pave the way for collaboration on less sensitive matters, but strategic concerns and domestic circumstances make progress challenging, if not impossible. 

Restoring high-level military dialogue remains an impasse as China insists on Washington removing sanctions against its defense minister. 

Both countries aim to prevent further escalation and military conflict, but neither is willing to make significant and lasting concessions. 

Despite the challenges, there is room for cooperation between China and US. Both sides are committed internally to working together, even if not publicly announced. 

The recent visits likely included a list of concerns to consider in the next round of exchange. 

Areas like climate cooperation present opportunities for collaboration amid broader tensions. While critical breakthroughs were not expected, continuous communication is a positive step.

The forthcoming weeks will reveal whether China reciprocates with high-level visits to Washington, especially with the possibility of President Xi Jinping attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November. 

However, complications arose as Foreign Minister Qin Gang, invited by Blinken during his visit, has recently disappeared from public view. 

Optics will play a crucial role in diplomacy for both countries' domestic audiences. 

Neither government wants to appear weak on the international stage, especially with the US presidential election season approaching. 

Communications on military-to-military issues and drug control are key priorities, but reciprocity is demanded by China, leading to potential criticism on US policy. 

While the prospects of further communication are positive, the situation remains fragile. 

Flashpoints in the relationship could easily derail progress. Despite efforts to stabilize US-China relations, the road ahead remains uncertain and precarious.

(Courtesy: CNN)