Thursday’s Statement by Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, stated that the U.S. did not intend to enter into a Cold War with China. He pledged to increase Washington’s lines communication with Beijing.
“We are not seeking conflict or a new Cold War. Speaking at George Washington University, D.C., Blinken said that the opposite is true and that they are determined not to allow both.
A secretary of State said that the Biden Administration does not intend to stop China’s growth economically or as a world leader.
Blinken stated instead that the U.S. is going in a new direction toward its biggest rival. Washington said it will work with allies and strengthen international laws and institutions in order to preserve democratic values and keep peace and security.
“We cannot depend on Beijing to change its path. He stated that Beijing must be guided by the international community to ensure an open and inclusive system.
Blinken’s remarks are made at a time Western nations are growing increasingly worried that Beijing may feel inspired by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s brave war in Ukraine, and consider taking similar steps against Taiwan.
Blinken stated, “Even though President Putin’s conflict continues, our focus will remain on the most serious and long-term threat that the international order faces — and this is posed by China’s People’s Republic of China.”
He stated that “The United States must deal with China for the foreseeable Future”, adding that U.S. – China ties were one “most complex and consequential relations” in the world.
Craig Singleton (Senior China Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies) said Thursday that Secretary Rice’s remarks were “better than never.”
He added that there are still deep divisions within Biden’s administration about major aspects U.S. China strategic rivalry issues.
“The inter-agency will likely be dogged by analysis paralysis if there is not a clearer directive from President himself,” he stated.
Singleton stated he would like clear policy goals when dealing with Beijing on a wide range of issues, ranging from global security to trading.
The national security expert also cautioned against America’s strategy with China, arguing that Beijing’s power is still rising and leadership mismanagement after the Chinese pandemic “hastened China’s rapid economic decline and exposed major shortcomings in the Chinese Communist Party’s governance model.”
“The risk then, he stated, is that Washington is committed to a Counter-China policy that is predicated upon China’s rise and not one that seeks out to manage China’s decline.”
