The year 2002 has all the signs of having been a good year for Sino-US relations. Bilateral cooperation has been further expanded and mutual understanding has deepened.
The scene had been set the year before by US President George W. Bush?s visit to Shanghai in October 2001. A second successful meeting with Chinese President Jiang Zemin in Beijing followed in February 2002. Then Chinese President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to the US from 22 through 25 October 2002. And in a gesture in keeping with the closer relations between China and the US, President George W. Bush entertained Chinese President Jiang Zemin at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. And then again following the 10th Informal Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the two leaders met for a fourth time in Los Cabos, Mexico.
Besides their face to face meetings, Jiang Zemin and George W. Bush have also exchanged views on important international issues many times by phone and letter.
And what?s more, Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao?s visit to the US in April 2002 also turned out to be a success. Hu was elected general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the Party?s 16th National Congress. On extending congratulations on his appointment, the US made clear its wish to continue cooperation with the new leadership.
The high-level dialogue is set to continue when US Vice President Richard Cheney visits China in early 2003. They signal a new phase in Sino-US relations for such frequent state exchanges between China and the US have been previously unheard of.
As one of the most important bilateral relationships which could be between nations, the steady development of Sino-US relations is good news indeed not only for the Chinese and American peoples, but also for the peace, stability and development of the Asian-Pacific region and for the world as a whole.
Consider the background. Both China and the US exercise global influence. Both are UN Security Council permanent members with powers of veto. China and the US carry on their shoulders a very real responsibility for the fate of humanity.
Working together in the fields of energy, environment, science and technology, education, culture, law and health.
2002 was a year that witnessed positive results in cooperation on technology as the US and China improved communication and strengthened exchanges. Enhanced cooperation was marked by the signing of a joint memorandum addressing the worldwide AIDS epidemic. Activity has been growing in Sino-US educational cooperation, especially in the area of joint-school programs. Colorful cultural exchanges have continued and military exchanges have now resumed. All these exchanges strengthen the mutual understanding of the Chinese and American peoples and give a fresh impetus to the further development of China-US ties.
The past year also saw a good start to anti-terrorism cooperation. Using both mid- and long-term mechanisms as vehicles for their cooperation and exchanges, China and the US engaged in close consultation on anti-terrorism in many fields and not without success.
In the run up to Jiang?s visit to America, both China and the US worked together to counter the ?East-Turkistan? terrorist organization through UN Resolutions 1267 and 1390 and the US expressed its understanding and support for China?s crack down on ?East-Turkistan? terrorists in Xinjiang.
In October 2002, China and the US set the scene for the FBI to open an office in Beijing. The two sides signed an agreement on criminal law by which they will provide each other with timely assistance in the fight against crime. The legal framework lays a foundation for future cooperation in individual cases and provides a sound example of international cooperation in tackling terrorism and other criminal activities.
The fruitful cooperation between China and the US has pushed forward the global war on terror and contributed greatly to the development of Sino-US ties. This has been recognized by President Bush and his senior officials who have, on frequent occasions, expressed their heartfelt thanks to China.
Non-proliferation is as important as anti-terrorism to the US. If terrorists were to get their hands of weapons of mass destruction they would pose a vital threat to the US. This is a matter in which the US very much needs China?s cooperation.
As a matter of fact, China has always opposed the proliferation not only of the weapons of mass destruction but also the means by which they might be delivered. China has committed itself to a series of international treaties on non-proliferation.
Despite this, June 2002 saw the US declare non-proliferation inspired, economic sanctions on 9 Chinese companies. This was fifth similar action on the part of the US within a 19-month period. Meanwhile the US maintained a firm stance in not allowing American companies to use Chinese missiles to launch their satellites.
However it is somewhat ironic that while the US is actively seeking China?s cooperation and is indeed putting pressure on China on the issue of non-proliferation, its own arms sales to Taiwan have actually been increasing.
In sharp contrast it is China that is behaving more cooperatively for it is China that faces the greater potential threat from biological and nuclear weapons. Since August 2002 China has brought in several new measures to regulate the management and export of missile technology. Such a move is based on China?s national interests and national security and also serves to align it more closely with international trends. So in reality China and the US share common interests in this issue and need to enhance their cooperation.
Meanwhile China and the US have been developing increasingly close trading and economic ties. One only has to count how many senior American officials visited China in 2002.
At the beginning of April, United States Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick visited China. At the end of April, US Secretary of Commerce Don Evans came to China for talks with Chinese Trade and Economic Minister Shi Guangsheng and to co-host the 14th meeting of the Sino-US Commence and Trade Commission. The end of June saw a visit to China by US Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman.
These high-level exchanges have further strengthened communication and exchanges of ideas. For example, they have helped to resolve those new issues affecting bilateral trade, which have arisen following China?s WTO entry.
Despite a sluggish world economy coupled with a gloomy US economy, China-US trade and economic relations have maintained their forward momentum in China?s WTO freshman year.
According to official Chinese statistics, the total volume of trade topped the US$60 billion during the first eight months of 2002, a 14 percent increase on 2001.
Turning to inward investment, between January and June 2002, no fewer than 1,795 US funded projects were initiated. Valued at US$3 billion they represented an increase of some 34 percent on 2001. Though US investment lies in third place overall behind Hong Kong and Taiwan, it is still the largest foreign source of direct inward investment and has occupied this position for the past three years.
Meanwhile more and more of China?s enterprises are doing business in the US. According to US official figures for the period from January to June 2002, among the US?s top ten trading partners, the only bilateral trade showing growth was that with China.
Much distance has already been traveled in the development of constructive and cooperative Sino-US relations. However put plainly it is still too soon to become complacent as much work still has to be done to strengthen and consolidate the relationship. It is difficult to predict the future of Sino-US relations because there are so many variables involved and they always seem to be changing.
However one thing is certain. Since the 16th National Congress of the CPC, the real focus of China?s national strategy is on domestic issues. China recognizes that it needs a peaceful international environment within which to pursue its domestic objectives. Therefore for as long as the US does nothing to challenge China?s sovereignty and security, China will do nothing to confront the US.
And although the US may well see an increasingly prosperous China as a rival for influence, the US on its part is also working to avoid strategic confrontation with China. This is amply demonstrated by the history of Sino-US relations since normalization.
Standing together in the gateway of the 21st century, China and the US have reached a consensus. Their three joint Sino-US communiqu?s serve as the basis for developing constructive and cooperative Sino-US relations.
Last year the Bush government repeatedly reaffirmed that the US accepts the one China policy, complies with the three Sino-US communiqu?s and opposes Taiwan independence. These are absolutely key issues for China and US commitment to them will prove vital to the stable development of China-US relations.
As long as China and the US continue to work tirelessly to overcome their differences and let good common sense prevail, they will have unprecedented opportunities for sustainable development. They must be always mindful of the fundamental interests of their two peoples and indeed of all the peoples of the world.
The author is a researcher with the China Institute of International Studies.
(China.org.cn, translated by Zheng Guihong, February 10, 2003)
