Until the "opium wars" (a series of military conflicts between the Western powers and the Qing empire in the nineteenth century), China remained an isolated country. The defeat of the Qing empire led to the beginning of the importation of cheap labor into the United States - coolies. The first document governing relations between the United States and China was the Treaty of Burlingame of 1868. As a result, only between 1870 and 1880 almost 139 thousand migrants from China arrived in the United States. The Chinese were forbidden to obtain US citizenship on the pretext that they were not representatives of the white race.
After the second world war
After the end of the hostilities that took place during World War II in southeast Asia, the Pacific Ocean and the Far East, relations between the United States and China escalated (this was partly influenced by the USSR). The states continued to support the Kuomintang and took a hostile attitude towards the Communist Party. After the establishment of the PRC, the United States sent its armed formations to China. A coast blockade was organized, comprehensive support was provided to the Kuomintang regime, and Taiwan turned into a large military base.
In 1954, a positive trend emerged in relations between the United States and China, because countries were ready to negotiate. Meetings began in Geneva at the level of consular representatives, later negotiations were raised to the level of ambassadors. Meetings moved to Warsaw. During one hundred and thirty-four meetings, country representatives did not reach an agreement.
The real beginning of rapprochement was outlined during the period when the Nixon administration was in power. After being elected president, Nixon took several steps towards normalizing economic relations between China and the United States, because it was extremely beneficial. During the hearings in Congress, it was proposed to build ties using the Sino-Soviet differences.
Relationship recovery
In 1971, US-China relations were restored. The trip of the American statesman and diplomat Henry Kissinger to the PRC took place, then the US military commander Alexander Haig Jr. visited the country. This trip was preceded by a visit to China by the President of the United States. Nixon visited China in February 1972. During the visit, the president met with Chairman Mao. Following the meeting, a Shanghai communiqué was published. The visit led to the complete normalization of relations between China and the United States.
Official diplomatic relations were established in 1979. In 1998, the United States was visited by the Secretary General of the Chinese Communist Party, Jiang Zemin. America is officially declared a strategic partner of China. After the NATO strike on the Chinese Embassy during the war in Yugoslavia, diplomatic relations escalated. During the strike, three Chinese diplomats were killed and twenty-seven Chinese citizens were injured.
US Politics at the Beginning of the 21st Century
In January 2001, General C. Powell took over as Secretary of State. Regarding the situation in foreign policy, he called the PRC not an adversary of the States, but a strong competitor and the most important trading partner in the region. The Bush administration has declared China a “strategic competitor” when it joins the White House. Hilary Clinton has repeatedly noted that bilateral relations between China and the United States will become systemically important and priority in the new century.
Big Two Super Powers
In 2009, the ruling circles of the United States came up with a proposal to the top Chinese leadership to formalize the "big two" of the superpowers G2. The project of informal unification of the USA and the PRC involved deepening interaction and partnerships, global governance and determining the directions of economic development. Supporters of G2 noted that in modern conditions the solution of important world issues is impossible without the simultaneous participation of China and the United States, since they are the most powerful states. So, it is the United States and China that must take full responsibility for what is happening in the world.
China’s position was voiced by Premier Wen. A statesman said that China will not go to such an association. The decision was based on the fact that China is not yet ready to establish such alliances and is striving to pursue an independent policy. The ruling circles of China decided that in this way the United States seeks to solve its problems through the intervention of the foreign economy. This would practically negate the entire anti-crisis program in China. Beijing has made it clear that it is pursuing a policy of maximum diversity in foreign policy relations. In addition, such an agreement contradicts relations between China, Russia (the United States is trying to break the unprofitable ties of partners) and other BRICS countries to achieve a polycentric world.
The cooling of political relations
In early 2010, there was a significant cooling of trade relations between China and the United States, and military ties were even broken. This was provoked by the decision of the Barack Obama administration to approve the sale of a batch of weapons to Taiwan, the requirement of China to revalue the local currency, the activation of US armed forces, and the joint US-South Korean exercises in the Yellow Sea.
The volume of foreign trade between the United States and China in 2010 reached $ 385 billion. In January 2014, the Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister pointed out that since the onset of the financial crisis, countries have provided all possible assistance to each other. Then the director of the Center for the Study of China in the United States noted that the country has turned for the States into a major challenge. China is the largest lender to the United States and a strategic partner.
A new generation of leaders in China
In 2012, power in China passed to a new generation of leaders. The "fifth generation" is too early to associate with the relevant achievements. Xi Jinping replaced Hu Jintao relatively recently, and the next change of power is scheduled for 2022. According to experts, the fifth and sixth generations of power have tremendous potential. Relations of a new type were established back in 2013. US policy towards China has not changed.
Economic partnership
The United States is interested in trade and economic cooperation with China. This is due to the increased interdependence of the economies of both states. China has the largest reserves of foreign currencies and a positive balance dynamics. The United States also does not cease to rely on the surplus and savings of China in financing its own budget. With the arrival of the Obama administration in the White House, the ideological confrontation weakened and positions on economic issues changed. The Minister of Finance promised to achieve appreciation of the renminbi and prevent the adoption of protectionist measures by the PRC to protect its own economy. Economic relations between the US and China remain stable.
China is interested in maintaining a large market and attracting foreign investment. This makes it possible in the long run to maintain high rates of development and economic growth, to develop backward sectors of the economy even in times of crisis. In addition, the country needs funds to modernize the People’s Liberation Army. Other aspirations of Beijing include another attempt to bring the yuan to the world level, increase investment, get rid of economic dependence. Particular attention is paid to the latest technology.
Educational Collaboration
The practice of teaching Chinese young people in the United States has a long history. Already in 1943, there were more than 700 students from China in the States, and by 1948 there were already 3914. According to 2009 data, 20 thousand Americans were studying in China. According to UNESCO, more than 225 thousand students from China studied at the same time in the USA.
Solution to the Taiwan Question
Traditionally, the issue of Taiwan, China considers the main obstacle to the positive development of diplomatic relations with the United States. The Chinese side is opposed to any contact between the Americans and the Taiwanese authorities. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the leadership considers it inappropriate to delay the solution of the problem and does not promise to renounce military force. According to representatives of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Taiwan issue is the most important in Sino-US relations.
A possible confrontation between China and Taiwan with US support could be a serious blow. In 2004, the States deployed air defense systems on the island, and in response, the PRC government passed the Territorial Integrity Act. In 2010, the United States Under Secretary of Defense (before delivering a large batch of arms to Taiwan) stated that America is obligated to provide the island with self-defense capabilities and will fulfill its obligations for the foreseeable future.
In addition, the fact that the United States is trying to limit the military potential of China is causing concern. In connection with the purchase from the Russian Federation of fighters and anti-aircraft missile systems, US sanctions were imposed on China. In Beijing, these actions were called a violation of international law. The ultimate goal of the States is Russia, and by such actions America only violates the existing relations with a trading partner. Perhaps in the near future we should expect a cooling of diplomatic relations between states.