Chinese representative Shi Guangsheng signs to join the World Trade Organization in 2001

The Mutual Understanding Weakens

In 2001, China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), nearly completing the blending stage of China’s growth. Throughout the process, China maintained its own system of governance and economic development model. Consequently, a rift between China and America ate away at their previous mutual understanding. A difference in opinion regarding the ultimate goal, that America wanted to mold China while China wanted to uphold certain characteristics, began to appear.

In 2005, the US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick sought to introduce China as a “responsible stakeholder” in global order, adding that the US need not fear ceding power to China. Americans complained that the Chinese government hadn’t realized any change and their economic system was only becoming stronger. Many Americans felt the attempt to pull China to their side had failed. Today, the debate on Sino-US foreign policy is nothing more than a continuation of that period.

China joining the WTO was supposed to serve as the “Ballast Stone” of Sino-US relations. Indeed, the two have managed to avoid any incident as serious as the Belgrade Bombing or Hainan plane collision. However with the weakening of the once strong mutual understanding, the relationship remains shrouded with uncertainty, competitiveness, and resistance.

The current international political system makes a military altercation or confrontation between America and China unlikely. But if the trend of the past few years continues, then the possibility of another cold war seems unavoidable. 

Click here to read part one: http://en.people.cn/n/2015/0729/c90000-8927698.html

Click here to read part three: http://en.people.cn/n/2015/0729/c90000-8927701.html

(This article was translated and edited from 《达巍：中美还能重建“大共识”吗？》. http://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1357483     Arthur: Da Wei, Director of America Study Center at China Institute of Contemporary International Relations)