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Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. (E-mail: [email protected]).
Although many people worldwide are disappointed with a high-level meeting between Chinese and American officials, and term it a failure. Yet, I believe there is a hope of positive outcomes soon. It was just a beginning, and both sides have reflected their positions clearly. I am sure. Both sides will relax and think wisely, and before the next meeting, they will complete their homework and explore the opportunities to narrow down the differences.
Having differences is natural and not something to be upset about. In our daily lives, we have differences with our bosses, our friends, colleagues. Even within a family, sometimes we differ with our siblings, parents, or life partner. Do we show our anger or harm each other? God has created everyone with unique characteristics; we all have different DNA, Thumb impressions, and different eye characteristics. In the same manner, we think differently, and differences are very much expected and rational phenomenon. What do we need? To understand others, respect others, observe tolerance and try to narrow down the differences. If possible, step down on certain occasions and compromise or accommodate others. The same practices need to be followed among nations, countries, and continents.
The Sino-US dialogue was the outcome of a long telephonic conversation between President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan attended the dialogue.
The dialogue was open, blunt, and rather hot. Diplomatic etiquettes and politeness were set-aside, which was an unusual phenomenon. Allegations and blames were made, and each one has clarified its position. I believe it was an excellent meeting, at least, each side understands each other’s concerns and point of view. This meeting will pave ways for further negotiations and trust, positive outcomes in the following discussions.
The rivalry between China and U.S. has a long history. At the time of the liberation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, America recognizes Taiwan (Republic of China) as a legitimate China. America initiated a campaign against China as a communist threat and launched a cold-war. In the early 1950s, the U.S. imposed economic sanctions on China and applied an economic blockade to ultimately make China collapse. Following its approach to counter the communism threat in the 1950s and 1960s, the U.S. has taken several measures to isolate China, harm China, and caused damages to China. But soon, the Americans realized that they could not succeed in their evil designs against China, and they changed their approach. Pakistan played the role of bridge to establish diplomatic ties between the two countries. Chinese still acknowledges the role of Pakistan and member with good words.
Initially, American was having eyes on the enormous Chinese market and wanted to capture it for their economic interests. But within a couple of decades, America became the Chinese market itself. Now the U.S. is blaming China for the trade surplus.
In fact, the U.S. was a unique superpower after the disintegration of the former USSR in 1991 and was exercising unlimited powers worldwide. Attack on Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Sudan, interference in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen (Arab Spring), etc., were matters of routine for America in the unipolar world. However, American faced resistance from Russia in the case of the Syrian war. America wanted to attack Iran and North Korea but faced tremendous challenges and opposition from China and Russia. Mentally, Americans are still living in a mindset of a unipolar world and are not willing to realize that geopolitics has been changed already. American has not accepted the revival of Russia and rise of China.
America has denied the history of rising and fall on nations in history. There was a time when the Roman Empire was at a peak, and no one has thought of the fall of the Roman Empire. The example of the Persian Empire, Greek Empire, British Empire, and many other strong empires all have to fall one day. It is a natural cycle that the rise and fall of nations are a routine matter. If wise, one can prolong their rise for a more extended period of time, if prod and, may fall soon.
China has also passed several rises and falls, which were part of history. During the last two centuries, China suffered heavily due to western colonialization. But the time has come when China is witnessing a rise. It is their legitimate right to rise. The rest of the world should recognize this right and should not think to counter China, contain China, or resist China’s rise.
I leave it to my readers to decide if the U.S. thing wisely and comes forward to cooperate with China, be beneficiary of Chinese rise, or confront China and declare its fall soon. China has surpassed the threshold where it can be coerced by any other nation. The rise of China is a fact we must acknowledge.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
