The Sino-American World Conflict

In Beijing a new consensus has emerged: that, in the words of Yonsei University professor Xiangfeng Yang, ‘a shift in the tectonic plates of China’s relations with the United States is afoot, or indeed already complete’. ¹ Chinese officials had noted the Trump administration’s stated determination to undertake a ‘fundamental restructuring’ of the relationship with China and to adopt a ‘whole-of government approach’ to managing US–Chinese competition. ² President Joe Biden’s China policy may be less confrontational and more nuanced than his predecessor’s, but Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that although ‘extreme competition’, a phrase used by Biden, ³ does not exclude engagement with China, any such engagement will need to take place ‘from a position of strength’. ⁴ Meanwhile, the dominant view in China seems to be that its strategic rivalry with the US will be intense and long-lasting. ⁵ It is widely expected that the United States, as the world’s most powerful country, will use its resources to preserve its status and privileges, and to prevent China from rising further. ⁶ The coronavirus pandemic has only worsened the deterioration of US–China relations. ⁷