“A thriving China is good for America, and a thriving America is good for China.”-Ms. Clinton
The United States of America today underlined that it welcomes China’s success.
On his remarks at at the U.S. Institute of Peace China Conference, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the United States helped pave the way for China to be where it is today in its own development.
“So to those who ask, “Is the United States attempting to contain China?” Our answer is a clear no.” -Ms. Clinton
The United States believes that it’s good for everyone when people anywhere are able to work their way to better lives.
She cites that if China’s rise means that the US has an increasingly capable and engaged partner, that’s good news for America.
“We will seize every chance to engage, because we’re not a country that sits on our lead. We’re a country with confidence in our own standing and in our ability to compete and succeed.” -Ms. Clinton
She explains that the choices that America has made diplomatically, economically, and strategically reflect that fundamental belief.
A thriving China is good for America, and vice versa, is not the end of the story, Ms. Clinton added.
She cites that within a few short decades, China has become the second largest economy in the world. Hundreds of millions of Chinese have been lifted out of poverty and have joined the global economy.
“So there is no doubt that the China of today is a very different country from the China of 1972. Now that transformation is due, first and foremost, to the hard work and determination of the Chinese people and their leaders.” -Ms. Clinton
It’s not just China that’s been transformed during the past 40 years; the U.S.-China relationship has as well, Ms. Clinton noted
Today, the web of connections linking the two nations is vast and complex, and reaches into just about every aspect of their societies.
Both economies and security are tightly entwined. Both face shared threats like nuclear proliferation, piracy, and climate change, and they need each other to solve these problems.
However, there still remains suspicion and mistrust of the other’s intentions, particularly in the military realm, Ms. Clinton added.
“As Dr. Kissinger recently wrote in Foreign Affairs, “Both sides must understand the nuances by which apparently traditional and apparently reasonable courses can evoke the deepest worries in each other.” -Ms. Clinton
Ms. Clinton stresses that both nations must address this head-on and constructively by creating a framework for building trust over time.
She highlighted that there is no intrinsic contradiction between supporting a rising China and advancing America’s interests.
She states that the world is looking to China and asking questions like these: Will China adapt its foreign policy so it contributes more to solving regional and global problems to make it possible for others to succeed as well? Will it use its power to help end brutal violence against civilians in places like Syria?
She stresses that as economic partners, both countries can make it possible for more people in both countries to work, trade, invest, create, and prosper.
The United States wants to engage in more trade and investment with China.
The United States believes in the benefits that come with greater economic activity and healthy competition.
However, for economy to be healthy, it has to be fair, rules-based and transparent, Ms. Clinton added.
The United States will continue to work with China to urge it to make reforms, and in turn, the US government will hear and act on those changes it wants from them.
“Finally, we do ask, can China meet its obligations to protect universal human rights and fundamental freedoms? Now, this is an area in which we have had long and profound disagreements.” -Ms. Clinton
She underlines that two countries become more interdependent, the United States will, of course, continue to stand by its principles and universal standards of human rights.
“And we believe that with development comes an opportunity for the aspirations of people everywhere to express themselves freely, whether on the Internet, or in a public square, or on the factory floor.” -Ms. Clinton
The United States believes that the Chinese people have their own legitimate aspirations, and that everyone should have a legal system that is independent and will protect them from arbitrary action.
The United States believes not just in China but everywhere, in religious and linguistic differences, cultural differences being respected.
“Reforms that support these goals give people a greater stake in the success of their nations, which in turn makes societies more stable, prosperous and peaceful.” -Ms. Clinton
On May 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton stressed that both countries are building a lot more of understanding and trust.
The United States and China have agreed to pursue a number of priority areas of cooperation, which were originally agreed to in October 2009. These areas include improving maritime security, which includes search and rescue; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; counterpiracy; counterterrorism; maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula; preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon; and addressing the spread of nuclear, space, cyber and missile technology.
