U.S., China Explore Deeper Ties as Partners, Contenders

{
  "authors": [
    "Minxin Pei"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "asia",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "AP",
  "programs": [
    "Asia"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States",
    "East Asia",
    "China"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Security",
    "Military",
    "Foreign Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

U.S., China Explore Deeper Ties as Partners, Contenders

China is likely to be both a partner and a contender in its relations with the United States, with the depth of its cooperation limited by the extent to which the two countries have overlapping national interests.

By Minxin Pei

Published on Nov 16, 2009

Source: NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

In the big-picture view of its relationship with the U.S., China is likely to be both a partner and a contender. Yet as Minxin Pei explained in an interview with Jim Lehrer on Newhour, any partnership between the two powers will be limited by the extent to which they have overlapping national interests. He presented a cautiously optimistic picture of U.S.-China relations in the wake of Obama’s visit to Asia, noting that the United States is likely to experience disappointment if it is overly optimistic about China’s willingness to cooperate. Such reluctance from the Chinese essentially stems from different values, as well as a lack strategic or fundamental political trust with the United States.

About the Author

Minxin Pei

Former Adjunct Senior Associate, Asia Program

Pei is Tom and Margot Pritzker ‘72 Professor of Government and the director of the Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies at Claremont McKenna College.

Recent Work

In The Media
How China Can Avoid the Next Conflict
- Minxin Pei
In The Media
Small Change
- Minxin Pei

Security Military Foreign Policy North America United States East Asia China

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Commentary
Diwan
Pushing Beirut into an Armed Conflict With Hezbollah Is Insane
The party’s domestic and regional roles have changed, so Lebanon should devise a disarmament strategy that encompasses this.
Michael Young
Commentary
Diwan
Corrupted by Absolute Power
In an interview, Marc Lynch discusses his new book decrying the post-1990 U.S.-dominated order in the Middle East.
Michael Young
Commentary
Diwan
Why Does the Middle East Suffer “Forever Wars”?
Because perpetual conflict enhances control, offers economic benefits, and allows leaders to ignore popular preferences.
Angie Omar
Commentary
Diwan
Where is the Groundwork for Lebanon’s Negotiations With Israel?
A prerequisite of serious talks is that the country’s leadership consolidates majority national support for such a process.
Michael Young
Commentary
Diwan
A Military Balance Sheet in the U.S. and Israeli War With Iran
In an interview, Jim Lamson discusses the ongoing regional conflict and sees an unclear picture when it comes to winners and losers.
Michael Young

More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center