Landscape in Sino-US Relations. I really began to realize the
relationship that China and the United States have with one another.
First off, they are the 2nd largest trading partner with each other and
also the 2nd largest export market to each other. Although China and the
U.S. have this relationship, there is so much complexity between their
security relations. Since the late 1990s, the United States has really
been watching Cihna's military power ( IT KEEPS GROWING!) and China even
plays a large role in the US defense planning. What I found really
interesting was the fact that the Sino-US trade relationship has been
refererred to as the "ballast for huge ship in the sometimes stormy seas."
What I took from that is that even though there are so many political
differences and military worries, the trade between the two countries is
too profitable to each side; their would be absolutey no benefit to stop
trade. This relationship is said to be believed to maintain peace and
stability in the Asian-Pacific region and even in the World. I always
wondered WHY China was so economically and politically beneficial for the
United States. Once again, my questions have been answered. The first
reason was obvious, their is more resources for both sides. The second
reason was more interesting; the Chinese economy is rapidly developing and
if the U.S. had the 2nd leading trade relationship with CHina then the US
businesses get to be a part of the expanding market and can expand
internationally, which will lead to trade with even MORE countries. The
third reason was most interesting to me because it gave an economic
solution for a political problem. By allowing trade with China to
develop, the United States is trying to gain economic, diplomatic,
informational, and military interchanges. By doing so, this will help the
United States to achieve national security. Honestly, China cannot be
ignored like other developing countries. During a personal conversation
with the professor, I asked him, "Do you feel as if the United States
trading with China is the best investment for America? Are their other
developing countries that have more similar political views that are just
as beneficial?" As soon as I asked this, I felt as if it was a stupid
question and I could tell he knew I wanted to take it back. He just
laughed ( not in a rude way, more to let me know it is okay to ask
questions) and said, " No other developing country accounts for 1/4th of
the entire world's population. And if there is a country that does,is
that country armed with nuclear weapons and is a member of the United
Nations Security Council?" The last thing I remember him saying was "
China cannot be ignored." When I tell you that quote is sticking to me,
that quote is sticking to me!
What I found absolutely crazy is the rapid growth that China made within
thirty years. How does it go from being one of the most isolated economies
in the world to one of the major players in the global economy? In fact,
we learned by 2005, China became the third largest in foreign trade after
the United States and Germany and just last year, it became the second.
If China can rise so rapidly , how will the other developing countries
grow within thirty years?
Bottom line : CHINA CANNOT BE IGNORED! Think about that until next time!
Zaijian!
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Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China
