As spring arrives, I'm reminded of Du Fu's poem 'Spring View' from the Tang Dynasty, lamenting Zelensky's fate. Like the An Lushan Rebellion that led to the fall of Chang'an and Emperor Xuanzong's abdication, marking the decline of the Tang Dynasty, the Russia-Ukraine war may soon see resolution. However, Ukraine is destined to be left with nothing, all it once possessed scattered to the wind.
Last Friday at the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice President Vance harshly criticized European countries and others. The U.S. demands that Europe increases its military spending—only 23 out of 32 NATO countries meet the 2% GDP defense spending target. Trump believes NATO members should raise this to 5%. Europe's reward for supporting America's proxy war is to pay an even larger "military tariff" to the US, while being excluded from Russia-Ukraine negotiations. Europe's beautiful vision of being one of the world's poles has shattered; they don't even measure up to being lackeys, and might be viewed as mere servants by the arrogant Trump.
However, Ukraine suffers the most. U.S. Defense Secretary Hagseth recently stated at NATO headquarters: "Restoring Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is unrealistic. “ And he also stated that the US doesn't see Kyiv joining NATO as part of a peace plan. President Trump echoed from afar, saying that Putin won't allow Ukraine to join NATO. The 2014 Crimea dispute is no longer a dispute, and the Ukrainian territories occupied over the past three years are more likely to be incorporated into Russian territory. As if this weren't enough, the tens of billions of dollars in military aid for Ukraine's war effort aren't free. At the very least, you can't escape the US portion. Rumors suggest the White House intends to claim half of Ukraine's rare-earth elements as compensation.
Compared to the American aggression, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi seemed more amicable at the conference. In his speech, he used an inclusive tone, stating that China views Europe as a partner, not an adversary, and emphasized China's willingness to play a "constructive role" in peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. During bilateral talks with German Chancellor Scholz, Wang Yi also said that China is willing to deepen its comprehensive cooperative relationship with Germany and called for China and the EU to "strengthen complementary advantages, deepen practical cooperation," "adhere to free trade, and practice multilateralism."
The above is based on a Deutsche Welle report. Western scholars ask: "Is China's goodwill towards Europe aimed at filling the power vacuum left by America's withdrawal from the international stage?" Graham Allison, the American scholar who proposed the "Thucydides Trap," affirms: "As a rising power, China will undoubtedly do its utmost to replace America's former role." Allison adds that Beijing has seized opportunities since Trump took office and immediately announced withdrawal from the World Health Organization and other international organizations. "Xi Jinping has noticed many opportunities here. If the U.S. doesn't play its cards right, Beijing will find it easier to succeed."
My view is simple and direct: The current international situation has been reshuffled, with America abandoning Europe to embrace Putin, freeing up resources to deal with China in the Asia-Pacific. As a result: 1) Small countries no longer have a say in global affairs; 2) American power is depleted, unable to maintain its "unipolar multi-strong" hegemony; 3) As we enter the 21st century, a "tripolar" world of China, Russia, and the U.S. has formed, dominating the globe. These three poles, running parallel, can continue to expand and strengthen globalization while simultaneously calculating for their national interests. One can expect exciting developments. In short: "Watch the geopolitical chessboard—as the East rises and the West falters, a crisis becomes a turning point."
Occupying the position of a great power means striving to be the best and strongest, with no room for compromise. From now on, we should abandon the cliché of "Who cares about the 'rise of great powers'? At least I don't." Today, we all witness the sorrow of "a broken nation, where mountains and rivers no longer exist." How can we not lament?
Deep Blue
** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **
The weather in Washington is exceptionally cold today. With Trump returning to the political arena, what lies ahead for China-U.S. relations? Why has the relationship between China and the United States become so complicated? The novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” may offer a perspective through which to understand these complexities.
“The U.S. Supreme Court upholds the TikTok ban, and American politicians and scholars have claimed, ’this is a significant victory for national security and the rule of law!’” However, barely before the ink of the story have dried up, the main news on the same newspaper says, “Trump announced on Sunday that he will issue an executive order to delay the federal government’s TikTok ban, granting the company more time to sever its ties with China and seek an American buyer.”
On January 19, Joe Biden was the US President, but by January 20, it will be Donald Trump. Voice of America cannot afford to overlook Trump’s new policy, especially as actions taken on his first day may significantly shape the future course of China-US relations. Yet, despite its long-standing claim to be the world’s beacon of democracy, the US now finds its presidency mired in disarray. When the US came to its 45th presidential election, the country had seemed to be stumbling in a world that no longer so readily accepts American unilateral leadership—painting an image of a nation in a difficult and awkward position.
In this context, let us turn to “To Kill a Mockingbird”. According to a literary site in mainland China, “The mockingbird does no harm to others. It does not steal from gardens or homes, nor does it nest in barns. It simply sings beautiful music for people to enjoy. To kill such a bird is indeed a great wrong.” Published in 1960, Harper Lee’s American novel became an instant success. However, due to its exploration of America’s deeply sensitive racial issues, it was first released in the UK and remained controversial for years. In fact, up to the 1980s, some parts of the U.S. still banned the book from elementary and middle schools.
The plot centers on the trial of a black man accused of raping a white woman. The truth was, the black man was defending the woman from her abusive, alcoholic father. Yet, the father falsely accuses him. Despite evidence proving the man’s innocence, the defense attorney, unable to withstand immense social pressure and the ridicule of his own children and neighbours, ultimately fails to clear the man’s name in court. Tragically, the black man dies in the end. This is the America depicted by an American author.
Over the past fifty years of China-US relations, China has repeatedly witnessed America’s hegemonic behaviour and discrimination, often without consequence. The latest example came last Wednesday, when designated US Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked at a congressional hearing: “China has taken full advantage of the international order that the U.S. created based on its own rules, yet they have ignored the obligations and responsibilities that come with it. Instead, at our expense, they have achieved global superpower status through lies, deception, hacking, and theft.”
"Killing a mockingbird is a crime,” but is Rubio suggesting that America is the mockingbird? At this critical juncture, however, it seems the American public have finally come to understand the distinction between right and wrong. TikTok’s strategic retreat has inadvertently opened the door for Xiaohongshu (The RedNote) to enter the US market. In this boundless space, we now see who the true “mockingbird” is—the one who neither steals from others nor harms anyone, but instead fosters a spirit of kindness and harmony. This force has since begun to reshape the global landscape in ways far beyond the simple scope of China-U.S. relations.
So, what does the future hold for China-US relations? As Mencius stated two millennia ago, “Those who are on the right path will receive much support; those who are not, little.” This truth remains relevant today—provided that “the people of China and the United States are no longer hindered by restrictions on free speech via the internet.” There is no need for excessive suspicion. A simple and balanced China-US relationship, grounded in mutual benefit and a shared commitment to building a community with a shared future for mankind, will naturally resolve many of the challenges facing both nations. Wouldn’t this be a better path forward?
