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Jennifer Lind, a Professor from Dartmouth also debated Drezner. However, she took a different tone, saying that the Fu op-ed highlights that China is not revisionist, and in fact China doesn't even seek to preach an alternative world order to the U.S.

Here's my take on the issue. The U.S.-China relationship will drive and change the world in this century and there can be no questions about it. Not just militarily, but both these countries are peers in a lot of other ways, including the economy, technology, innovation and human resources. Whether that relationship would be adversarial or competitive but friendly is something which only the respective governments can decide. Concerning the op-ed, here's my opinion.

I think the op-ed by Fu is misunderstood in a certain sense in the west, as Fu never called for a global change against the established order, a-la the Soviets of 1930s. In fact, Fu was nothing but commendable when she stated the contributions of the current international system and the benefits both the United States and China have achieved from it. In no uncertain terms, Fu also stated what the Chinese establishment has been stating for so long, that the Chinese ambition doesn't include leading the world and establishing hegemony. It is in fact a subtle call for more understanding and a nuanced way of dealing in an increasing G2 world, where the world will actually benefit from economic and security burden sharing. It was also a call for understanding that, just like any other great power, China has its zones and spheres of influence, and that should be respected.

This is not a new platform, and frankly this is an idea shared by a lot of Western Realists ranging from Henri Kissinger to Paul Pillar. While there is and always will be some chance of conflict between two reigning great powers in the international system, the chances of conflict can be minimized by burden sharing and dialogue. And it is a two way street, as no power is to be expected to unilaterally give up on what it perceives to be its state interest.

The argument that China is bogged down with internal problems, like the economy and security and therefore should focus on that rather than international system is fragile and doesn't reflect the reality. By that logic, America, plagued by rising inequality, gun violence, a broken society and a declining influence in world affairs, should be even more inward looking. I would like to suggest policy makers of both countries, take an opportunity to create a good dialogue framework, which will help in welcoming the G2 system and benefit both the powers and the world.

Sumantra Maitra is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SumantraMaitra.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

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