ABSTRACT
M o s t discussions of the U n i t e d States and Ch ina focus o n the re la t ionship be tween the t w o . This art icle takes a different tack. Before addressing the differences be tween the U n i t e d States a n d China , w e w i l l consider an u n d e r l y i n g s i m i l a r i t y of the i r i n t e rna t iona l s i tuat ions. I n its re la t ionships w i t h mos t other A s i a n countr ies , C h i n a is the larger p layer i n terms of d e m o g raphy, economy, a n d security. S imi la r ly , the U n i t e d States is the larger par t ner i n mos t o f its g loba l re la t ionships a n d i n a l l of its European and A m e r i c a n re la t ionships . A r e there then s imi lar i t ies i n the basic s i tua t ion of fo re ign p o l i c y and posture be tween the U n i t e d States as a g loba l p o w e r and Ch ina as a reg iona l one? I f i t makes a difference to be b i g , then the U n i t e d States a n d Ch ina have some th ing i n c o m m o n tha t is w o r t h e x p l o r i n g .
