The People’s Republic can be proud of its achievements to become a world power. But its turn in the past 10 years towards greater political and social controls takes it back to the repressive past, instead of a future in which it can realise its full potential.
The US and China are escalating their restrictions on access by academics from the other side, which poses serious problems for scholarship and bilateral relations, at a time when mutual understanding is much needed.
Cooperation has been the bedrock of the US-China relationship since Carter met Deng in 1979, and through bumpy moments like the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Trump’s trade war will not undo four decades of engagement.
David Shambaugh says a confrontational bipartisan consensus towards China has taken shape in the US, and won’t be resolved until Beijing makes changes.
While China may get all the attention, thanks to its proximity and its economic strength, US investment in Asean is still consistently higher, and its assistance goes beyond economics into security, culture and education.
Xi has proven himself to be a visionary leader, but by systematically dismantling the institutions and rules set up by Deng to protect the country from the excesses of strongman rule, he is also setting a dangerous precedent for the future.
This regional economic powerhouse is vital to the US, and Trump must win over leaders with reassurances of US commitment. Boorish behaviour will not be tolerated
In dismantling the old power bases, Xi Jinping has also severely weakened the bureaucratic institutions built up to prevent the over-concentration of power in one man
David Shambaugh says given the real differences between China and the US on matters of national interest, expectations for any breakthrough during Xi's visit to Washington are decidedly modest.
