2015年CRI Sino-US Ties to be on Track Despite Splits

 

Ruan Zongze is a former Minister Councilor in the Chinese embassy in Washington, and now work with the China Institute for International Studies.

He suggests the relationship today between China and the United States has progressed through the years to a level beyond normal country-to-country relations.

"Discussion topics between the two sides have gone far beyond bilateral¹ relations and regional affairs. The two are seeking more common ground in international and multi-lateral issues."

But at the same time, Ma Zhengang with the China Public Diplomacy² Association says anxiety toward China is rising among US policymakers and politicans.

"There are some voices advocating for a war against China. Despite a limited influence, it has some supporters. Some US experts even say the U.S.-China relationship is at a 'critical tipping point' that gets closer to a cliff."

The "tipping point" arguement was put forward earlier this year by veteran China-watcher David Lampton, who heads the China division of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Speaking at an event among both American and Chinese scholars in May, Lampton has argued there are forces in both the US and China who would like to see the progress made over the past few decades be pushed aside to, instead, battle for global dominance.

Jin Canrong with Renmin Univesity says despite those concerns, he doesn't believe a breakup of the China-US relationship is imminent³.

"The risks in the Sino-US relations are manageable. The coexistence of cooperation with competition is a unique feature of the China-US relationship. Despite rising worries, the two governments have been trying to fulfill⁴ their responsibilities to keep this relationship smooth."

Guan Wei with the China Institute of International Studies says closer communications between people from both sides is critical.

"Some 270-thousand Chinese are studying in the US, while the number of Americans studying in China exceeds 20 thousand. Every day, there are over 10-thsouand people travelling between the two countries. The civilian⁵ exchange between the two countries develops fast, which will help grow the bilateral ties."

Ezra Vogel, a former professor of East Asia studies at Harvard, notes President Xi Jinping has already established a strong personal connection with the US state of Iowa.

"The American people also attach great importance to affection. For example, he visited Iowa and established good relations with Iowans. If he could take this opportunity to let his friends from Iowa come to Washington to participate in some activities, this would show his affection. If President Xi Jinping could do that - showing his affection and close relations with Americans - I think that could positively⁶ affect our public opinion and our policies."

Xi Jinping first visited Iowa in 1985 while as a junior politican on a trade mission, befriending a local family who he ended up boarding with during his time there.

30-years later, he's returning to the United States on his first official State Visit as Chinese President.

But many observers suggest his trip this time is also meant to help create better inter-personal ties, but at a somewhat higher level.

For CRI, I'm Luo Bin⁷.

1 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

2 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

3 imminent   

adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的

参考例句：

• The black clounds show that a storm is imminent.乌云预示暴风雨即将来临。
• The country is in imminent danger.国难当头。

4 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

5 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

6 positively   

adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实

参考例句：

• She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
• The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。

7 bin   

n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件

参考例句：

• He emptied several bags of rice into a bin.他把几袋米倒进大箱里。
• He threw the empty bottles in the bin.他把空瓶子扔进垃圾箱。