The Straits Times today published an article stating: "People often liken Sino-American relations to those of a married couple. In recent years, it has seemed inevitable that the two sides would drift toward divorce, with 'decoupling' and 'disentanglement' becoming commonplace terms. Yet, truly severing these two superpowers—and the global economy intertwined with them—would be a seismic event. The recent reciprocal visits underscore that both sides still share substantial mutual interests and bear inescapable shared responsibilities. 'Divorce' is not a viable option that can be casually considered. A common challenge in any relationship is the desire to reshape the other according to one’s own expectations. Mature relationships often begin with letting go of such fixation, acknowledging that differences will persist, and learning to coexist despite them. While nations are not spouses, the underlying principle holds relevance."
The article was authored by Professor Wang Zheng, director of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University in the United States. His vivid analogy effectively conveys the profound truth behind the adage: cooperation brings benefits to both; confrontation inflicts damage on both.
As the world’s two largest economies, China and the United States are deeply integrated, with intertwined interests. The notion of 'decoupling' may sound straightforward, but implementation proves exceedingly difficult. Their economic, technological, and people-to-people exchanges remain extensive. Global supply chains and industrial networks are mutually dependent. Forcibly disentangling these links would not only harm both national economies but also inflict severe damage on the global economy. Decades of development in Sino-American relations demonstrate that significant shared interests remain. Mutual benefit through cooperation and moving toward common ground represent the appropriate path forward.
For years, the United States has sought to reshape China according to its own preferences, imposing constraints and pressures across multiple domains in the name of maintaining hegemony. Yet China is no longer the weak and impoverished nation of the past, nor is the United States the dominant power it once was. China’s resilience, vast market size, and completeness of its industrial base ensure that external pressures cannot break it. Should the United States continue pursuing the illusion of transforming or containing China, it risks exhausting its own resources and accelerating its decline.
The proper way for the two countries to manage their relationship lies in mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. Differences will not vanish, but they can be managed through constructive engagement. Letting go of the urge to change the other, managing disputes prudently, and expanding areas of collaboration constitute a rational choice for mature powers. Cooperation benefits both; conflict harms both and destabilizes the world. Only through mutual movement toward common ground can China and the United States serve their respective peoples and contribute positively to global stability.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877541514922051/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.