As tensions between the US and China continue to rise, lawmakers are becoming increasingly concerned about the path that lies ahead. This issue has gained attention from both sides of the political spectrum, with Republican Senator Tom Cotton saying that the Biden administration should stop “chasing after” Chinese officials “like lovestruck teenagers.”
Despite this, top White House officials have said that President Biden will “at some point” meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This decision comes amidst growing concern that the US is being too accommodating to China’s authoritarian regime.
Calls for a stronger stance towards China have been brewing for a while, with many questioning whether Biden’s “reset” of US-China relations is the right approach. Critics argue that the US needs to be more forceful in its approach towards China, given the country’s growing geopolitical influence.
One of the key areas of concern is China’s aggressive stance towards Taiwan, which it sees as a breakaway province that will one day be reunited with mainland China. Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, has warned that China’s military assertiveness is reaching unprecedented levels, and has called on the US to help defend Taiwan against potential Chinese aggression.
Another flashpoint in the US-China relationship is the issue of human rights. China has been criticized for its treatment of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, as well as its crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. The Biden administration has issued sanctions against Chinese officials involved in these abuses, but critics say that these measures don’t go far enough.
So what should the US do in response to China’s growing influence? There are several possible approaches, ranging from containment to engagement. Some argue that the US should ramp up investment in its own economy through infrastructure spending, to make it less dependent on China. Others suggest that the US should work more closely with allies in the region to counter China’s influence, while also engaging with China on issues of mutual concern, such as climate change.
However, there’s no easy solution to this complex issue. China’s rise as a global superpower is one of the most significant geopolitical developments of our time, and it poses a serious challenge to the US-led world order. The US will need to carefully balance its relationship with China, recognizing the need to push back against Beijing’s assertiveness while also avoiding a dangerous escalation of tensions. Only time will tell how this delicate balancing act will play out.
