The US-China relationship continues to be a delicate balancing act between fierce competition and necessary cooperation, NBC News reports, citing US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns.
While both countries have expressed a desire for a more stable relationship, underlying tensions remain, particularly in the areas of security, technology, and human rights.
“We’re going to judge the People’s Republic of China on its actions, not just its words,” Burns told the outlet in an exclusive interview in Beijing.
Burns described the relationship as one of “structural rivals,” emphasizing that the competition will continue for years to come. This rivalry extends to key sectors like semiconductors, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence, where both countries are vying for dominance.
Economic friction persists, fueled by US tariffs imposed on Chinese goods and accusations of Chinese “overcapacity” flooding global markets. In the Asia-Pacific region, both countries are competing for influence, with China’s increasing military activity in the South China Sea and around Taiwan being a major point of contention.
Burns specifically criticized China’s recent live-fire drills near Taiwan, . The Biden administration has also been strengthening ties with US allies in the region, including South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines, in an effort to counter China’s growing power.
Adding further strain to the relationship is the US’s accusation that China has been supplying Russia with dual-use technology for its war in Ukraine, leading to sanctions on Chinese companies.
“What’s troubling for us is the fact that China says that it’s neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war, and yet its actions are the opposite,” Burns stated. “So that is a major problem in this relationship.”
China, while maintaining its claim of neutrality, denies supplying weapons to Russia and insists on strict control over dual-use goods exports.
Beyond security and economic concerns, the US has also criticized China’s human rights record, particularly in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong. “The most profound difference” in the relationship, Burns said, “is that we believe in human freedom and human rights.”
China has countered this criticism by highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, deflecting attention away from its domestic policies.
Despite the numerous challenges, the Biden administration acknowledges the need for cooperation with China on critical global issues, like combating illicit drugs, addressing climate change, and responsibly developing artificial intelligence.
“We want to be responsible for our own people, but also for the world as we conduct this relationship,” Burns said, acknowledging the need to navigate this complex landscape responsibly.
