Shen Shishun
The year 2002 has all the signs of having been a good year for
Sino-US relations. Bilateral cooperation has been further expanded
and mutual understanding has deepened.
The scene had been set the year before by US President George W.
Bush's visit to Shanghai in October 2001. A second successful
meeting with Chinese President Jiang Zemin in Beijing followed in
February 2002. Then Chinese President Jiang Zemin paid a state
visit to the US from 22 through 25 October 2002. And in a gesture
in keeping with the closer relations between China and the US,
President George W. Bush entertained Chinese President Jiang Zemin
at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. And then again following the 10th
Informal Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) forum, the two leaders met for a fourth time in Los Cabos,
Mexico.
Besides their face to face meetings, Jiang Zemin and George W. Bush
have also exchanged views on important international issues many
times by phone and letter.
And what's more, Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao's visit to the US
in April 2002 also turned out to be a success. Hu was elected
general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party
of China (CPC) at the Party's 16th National Congress. On extending
congratulations on his appointment, the US made clear its wish to
continue cooperation with the new leadership.
The high-level dialogue is set to continue when US Vice President
Richard Cheney visits China in early 2003. They signal a new phase
in Sino-US relations for such frequent state exchanges between
China and the US have been previously unheard of.
As
one of the most important bilateral relationships which could be
between nations, the steady development of Sino-US relations is
good news indeed not only for the Chinese and American peoples, but
also for the peace, stability and development of the Asian-Pacific
region and for the world as a whole.
Consider the background. Both China and the US exercise global
influence. Both are UN Security Council permanent members with
powers of veto. China and the US carry on their shoulders a very
real responsibility for the fate of humanity.
China and the US have clear common interests in such areas as:
- Promoting peace and prosperity both in the Asia-Pacific region
and worldwide;
- Countering international organized crime, drug smuggling and
illegal immigration;
- Cooperating in the fields of disarmament, arms control and
non-proliferation of weapons of massive destruction;
- Working together in the fields of energy, environment, science
and technology, education, culture, law and health.
2002 was a year that witnessed positive results in cooperation on
technology as the US and China improved communication and
strengthened exchanges. Enhanced cooperation was marked by the
signing of a joint memorandum addressing the worldwide AIDS
epidemic. Activity has been growing in Sino-US educational
cooperation, especially in the area of joint-school programs.
Colorful cultural exchanges have continued and military exchanges
have now resumed. All these exchanges strengthen the mutual
understanding of the Chinese and American peoples and give a fresh
impetus to the further development of China-US ties.
The past year also saw a good start to anti-terrorism cooperation.
Using both mid- and long-term mechanisms as vehicles for their
cooperation and exchanges, China and the US engaged in close
consultation on anti-terrorism in many fields and not without
success.
In
the run up to Jiang's visit to America, both China and the US
worked together to counter the "East-Turkistan" terrorist
organization through UN Resolutions 1267 and 1390 and the US
expressed its understanding and support for China's crack down on
"East-Turkistan" terrorists in Xinjiang.
In
October 2002, China and the US set the scene for the FBI to open an
office in Beijing. The two sides signed an agreement on criminal
law by which they will provide each other with timely assistance in
the fight against crime. The legal framework lays a foundation for
future cooperation in individual cases and provides a sound example
of international cooperation in tackling terrorism and other
criminal activities.
The fruitful cooperation between China and the US has pushed
forward the global war on terror and contributed greatly to the
development of Sino-US ties. This has been recognized by President
Bush and his senior officials who have, on frequent occasions,
expressed their heartfelt thanks to China.
Non-proliferation is as important as anti-terrorism to the US. If
terrorists were to get their hands of weapons of mass destruction
they would pose a vital threat to the US. This is a matter in which
the US very much needs China's cooperation.
As
a matter of fact, China has always opposed the proliferation not
only of the weapons of mass destruction but also the means by which
they might be delivered. China has committed itself to a series of
international treaties on non-proliferation.
Despite this, June 2002 saw the US declare non-proliferation
inspired, economic sanctions on 9 Chinese companies. This was fifth
similar action on the part of the US within a 19-month period.
Meanwhile the US maintained a firm stance in not allowing American
companies to use Chinese missiles to launch their satellites.
However it is somewhat ironic that while the US is actively seeking
China's cooperation and is indeed putting pressure on China on the
issue of non-proliferation, its own arms sales to Taiwan have
actually been increasing.
In
sharp contrast it is China that is behaving more cooperatively for
it is China that faces the greater potential threat from biological
and nuclear weapons. Since August 2002 China has brought in several
new measures to regulate the management and export of missile
technology. Such a move is based on China's national interests and
national security and also serves to align it more closely with
international trends. So in reality China and the US share common
interests in this issue and need to enhance their cooperation.
Meanwhile China and the US have been developing increasingly close
trading and economic ties. One only has to count how many senior
American officials visited China in 2002.
At
the beginning of April, United States Trade Representative Robert
B. Zoellick visited China. At the end of April, US Secretary of
Commerce Don Evans came to China for talks with Chinese Trade and
Economic Minister Shi Guangsheng and to co-host the 14th meeting of
the Sino-US Commence and Trade Commission. The end of June saw a
visit to China by US Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman.
These high-level exchanges have further strengthened communication
and exchanges of ideas. For example, they have helped to resolve
those new issues affecting bilateral trade, which have arisen
following China's WTO entry.
Despite a sluggish world economy coupled with a gloomy US economy,
China-US trade and economic relations have maintained their forward
momentum in China's WTO freshman year.
According to official Chinese statistics, the total volume of trade
topped the US$60 billion during the first eight months of 2002, a
14 percent increase on 2001.
Turning to inward investment, between January and June 2002, no
fewer than 1,795 US funded projects were initiated. Valued at US$3
billion they represented an increase of some 34 percent on 2001.
Though US investment lies in third place overall behind Hong Kong
and Taiwan, it is still the largest foreign source of direct inward
investment and has occupied this position for the past three
years.
Meanwhile more and more of China's enterprises are doing business
in the US. According to US official figures for the period from
January to June 2002, among the US's top ten trading partners, the
only bilateral trade showing growth was that with China.
Much distance has already been traveled in the development of
constructive and cooperative Sino-US relations. However put plainly
it is still too soon to become complacent as much work still has to
be done to strengthen and consolidate the relationship. It is
difficult to predict the future of Sino-US relations because there
are so many variables involved and they always seem to be
changing.
However one thing is certain. Since the 16th National Congress of
the CPC, the real focus of China's national strategy is on domestic
issues. China recognizes that it needs a peaceful international
environment within which to pursue its domestic objectives.
Therefore for as long as the US does nothing to challenge China's
sovereignty and security, China will do nothing to confront the
US.
And although the US may well see an increasingly prosperous China
as a rival for influence, the US on its part is also working to
avoid strategic confrontation with China. This is amply
demonstrated by the history of Sino-US relations since
normalization.
Standing together in the gateway of the 21st century, China and the
US have reached a consensus. Their three joint Sino-US communiquis
serve as the basis for developing constructive and cooperative
Sino-US relations.
Last year the Bush government repeatedly reaffirmed that the US
accepts the one China policy, complies with the three Sino-US
communiquis and opposes Taiwan independence. These are absolutely
key issues for China and US commitment to them will prove vital to
the stable development of China-US relations.
As
long as China and the US continue to work tirelessly to overcome
their differences and let good common sense prevail, they will have
unprecedented opportunities for sustainable development. They must
be always mindful of the fundamental interests of their two peoples
and indeed of all the peoples of the world.
The author is a researcher with the China Institute of
International Studies.
(China.org.cn, translated by Zheng Guihong, February 10, 2003)