Sino-U.S.Strategic Cognition and EastAsian Regional Security

Director of Institute of Taiwan Studies,Research Fellow,CASS

Along with deepening adjustments and changes in the world strategic architecture,the security situation in East Asia is undergoing complex and in-depth changes.As two major countries of vital importance in the region,strategic cognition of China and the United States not only affects the future of bilateral relations,but also will have a far-reaching impact on the regional situation and order.At present,the mutual strategic cognition between China and the United States is still relatively positive and has some commonalities on the whole,but there are still major differences and even potential crises regarding some key issues and areas.Under the new circumstances,the two sides still have a long way to go for continuously exploring a road map for building a new form of major country relations.This effort also requires the support and cooperation of other regional force.

I.China and the United States share considerable consensus on profound changes in the international strategic architecture

There is considerable consensus between China and the United States on the profound changes in the international strategic architecture,i.e.both recognize the profound and far-reaching impact of the changes in the international strategic architecture, both recognize the urgency and necessity of maintaining stability of the international security environment,both recognize the importance of the strategic relationship between China and the United States,both recognize the importance of avoiding comprehensive strategic confrontation to either side,both recognize the need to strengthen cooperation and dialogue on some regional hotspot issues,both recognize the need for cooperative measures to address the growing non-traditional security threats,both recognize the importance of economic development to national security,etc.

II．On some major strategic and regional issues,there are still considerable cognitive differences between the two sides,which will exert practical or potential negative impacts on bilateral relations and regional security

First,on understanding the process of globalization and the existing international order.Both China and the United States have been benefited from globalization,however the U.S.administrators regard the United States itself as the major victim of globalization,and emerging economies such as China as major beneficiaries,which even make full use of the loopholes in the existing international order or mechanisms to continuously obtain benefits,thus placing the United States in a more passive position.While China,on the other hand,believes that globalization is an inevitable trend of historical development and has a double-edged sword effect,and the world should strengthen international cooperation in the field of global governance to create a more solid foundation and conditions for a new round of globalization.The international order should constantly adjust itself on the basis of respecting reality and gradually see establishment of a new international political and economic order.In terms of the option of practical policies,China stands for carrying out reform and opening-up at a larger scale and at a higher level with a more open mind and proposes to build a community with a shared future for mankind.The United States,on the other hand,has taken more unilateral measures to set obstacles in the way of a new round of regionalization and globalization.The United States uses the America First to passively respond to the governance and adjustment of the regional and international order,and even regards China's international contributions as a strategic threat.

Second,on judging each other's strategic positioning and projection.The United States has identified China as a strategic rival and is worried that its further development will directly challenge the U.S.hegemony in East Asia and even across the world.China sees the United States as the world's sole superpower,and its influence,though relatively declined,still remains significant in its impact on the regions and the world at large.In terms of policy option,China is striving to avoid Thucydides'trap,establish a new form of major-country relations with the United States,and safeguard regional stability and world peace.While the United States is entangled in strategic dilemma,on the other hand, makes geo-strategic plans to intend to form more effective check and deterrence against China,and also worries about forming direct and comprehensive strategic confrontation with China on the other hand.Therefore,it continues to explore a way of cooperation in a strategic game.

Third,on understanding those regionalhotspot issues.China and the United States have conducted in-depth cooperation on issues such as the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and achieved remarkable results.However,they still have different views on the nature and road map of the issue.On the South China Sea disputes,China and relevant countries have made significant progress towards a peaceful settlement.However,the United States is worried that such positive progress will challenge its leadership and shaping power in the region and continues to raise tensions under the pretext of maintaining the so-called“freedom of navigation”.On the Taiwan issue,although both sides believe that stability across the Taiwan Straits is extremely important,yet the Taiwan issue is being heated up again by the main factors of the U.S.domestic political situation,so China has to respond to it as a crisis from the perspective of safeguarding territorial sovereignty and integrity.

Fourth,on viewing the alliance system and issues left over from the Cold War.Although China believes that the U.S.military alliance in this region is the product of the Cold War,it is fully aware of the complexity of this issue,so it firmly opposes the U.S.alliance system targeting the third party.The United States,on the other hand,has given strategic priority to strengthening military alliances in East Asia,and proposed the”Indo-Pacific strategy”in an attempt to create a broader value alliance system,which indeed takes China as a major factor in the security considerations.

III．In the new era facing complex security situation,China and the United States should deepen strategic consensus at a higher level more broadly

As President Xi Jinping says,we are living in a world of rapid development and change.The trend toward a multi-polar world,economic globalization and IT social application is gaining momentum.Various challenges are emerging one after another and the interests of all countries are closely linked.Zero-sum games,conflicts and confrontation have long gone out of fashion,and sharing thick and thin and win-win cooperation are called by the times.As the largest developing country,the largest developed country and the two largest economies in the world,China and the United States should act in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and peoples of various countries,take on responsibilities and work hard to build a new form of major-country relationship between China and the United States.

To be specific,China and the United States can enhance strategic communication in the following four areas. First, we should strengthen joint study and dialogue on globalization and global governance so as to find common ground of strategic position and direction in the new round of globalization,and to offer greater synergy in shaping the new regional and international order.Second,in the strategic dialogues,the two sides should enhance mutual exchanges of strategic goals and intentions with appropriate transparency,strengthen communication with the public and media,and prevent misunderstanding from being cooked up among the people.Third,we need to strengthen strategic communication on handling regional hotspot issues.Particularly,we need to be very cautious on territorial sovereignty issues,effectively manage and control crises and prevent escalation.Fourth,we should take a more open and active stance in handling security cooperation with other relevant countries and prevent a new cold war mentality.