Professor Jeffrey Sachs, a professor at Columbia University and former senior advisor to the United Nations, engaged in a dialogue with Zhang Weiwei, director of the China Institute at Fudan University, at the Yifu Science and Technology Building of Fudan University on July 21.
On July 21, Professor Sachs had a conversation with Observer Net after the meeting. Observer Net
After the meeting, Professor Sachs had a conversation with Observer Net. Regarding how China and the United States can avoid the risk of war, Sachs believed that the United States must completely abandon the idea of containing China and should instead resolve security issues through direct diplomatic channels, even engaging in dialogue on the Taiwan issue.
The following is the transcript of the dialogue:
Observer Net: You also mentioned in your speech differences in views with John Mearsheimer (John Mearsheimer). The famous debate you had with him last year was impressive. Although he has always maintained that a war between China and the United States is inevitable, when Observer Net interviewed him at the end of last year, his position seemed to have softened. He stated then, "The United States does not want to provoke a war with China - its goal is to contain." "War between China and the United States is not inevitable, but intense security competition cannot be avoided." This statement is clearly more cautious than before. Your view is closer to the Chinese perspective - China does not pose a threat to the United States, and war between the two countries can be avoided. If a war breaks out between China and the United States, it is most likely triggered by the Taiwan issue. In your opinion, how can this risk of war be avoided?
Sachs: First of all, the United States must completely abandon the idea of containing China. This idea is terrible - why should the United States contain China? If this means trying to limit China's rise and prevent its development, it is not only absurd, but also unacceptable, immoral, and without principle. We should not play such tricks. Because in my view, China has never been an enemy of the United States, and there is no reason for the United States to take hostile actions against China.
Secondly, what is most lacking now is to resolve security issues through direct diplomatic channels, even to discuss how to avoid war over the Taiwan issue - this is the urgent priority, rather than any containment policy. I certainly do not want to see the United States take actions that substantially harm China's interests, which would be extremely dangerous.
Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7530140710452953634/
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