The "Group of Two" (G2) statement has triggered contention among Russian scholars. "The new international order is not built on the bases of G2," said Zhang Deguang, former Chinese Ambassador to Russia, in an exclusive interview with China.org.cn.
Zhang admitted that China and the US are two of the world's most influential and important countries, although the G2 concept is inappropriate to describe international relations.
After 30 years of reform and opening up, there's no doubt that China is now playing a bigger role and exerting a greater influence in the world. The G2 concept reflects the willingness of the United States to strengthen Sino-US ties. The bilateral relations have run smoothly since Barack Obama became US President. Different from his predecessors who focused more on strategic competition, the Obama administration takes a different approach to tackling world affairs. America's role and status in global issues have also changed. The US needs to cooperate with China. From this point of view, it's reasonable for US scholars to put forward the "G2" concept.
However, the concept of two countries jointly governing the world is hard to justify in today's globalized world, and the United States should not advocate this bipolar idea.
The "G2" concept suggests Sino-US power. China maintains that world affairs should be resolved through negotiations on fair and equal bases. Neither two countries nor a group of big powers should resolve all global issues.
Some Russian scholars are worried and have expressed their concern about Russia's status in the world. They are also worried that Sino-Russian ties might be undermined by the increasingly close Sino-US ties. A number of EU countries have also expressed their qualms about this concept.
Premier Wen Jiabao clarified China's stance on the "G2" idea in Prague on May 20, 2009. Wen stressed, "Some say that world affairs will be managed solely by China and the United States. I think that view is baseless and wrong."
Zhang stressed that the world is undergoing profound changes and a multi-polarized world cannot be ruled by one or two countries. China and the United States can play their role by resolving world issues through negotiation.
As we can see in the ongoing financial crisis, both countries shoulder significant responsibilities. World issues should not be resolved solely by China and the United States, but rather jointly resolved by all nations, including "G20" countries and rising developing countries.
(China.org.cn translated by Huang Shan, June 15, 2009)
