Several U.S. China experts said in a newly released report on Tuesday that opposing China across the board is not in the interests of the United States and the global economy.
The report, titled "Course Correction: Toward an Effective and Sustainable China Policy," said "it is natural for China's international role to expand as its economy, international interests, and diplomatic capabilities grow."
"Opposing Chinese influence across the board is neither desirable nor feasible," argued the report.
The report writers, many of whom are U.S. veteran diplomats and trade officials, include Charlene Barshefsky, the U.S. trade representative from 1997 to 2001, Winston Lord, U.S. ambassador to China from 1985 to 1989, Kurt M. Campbell, former U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Susan L. Shirk, a research professor at the University of California, San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy.
The report argues that China and the United States and their societies have close ties, and their national interests may not necessarily end in collision.
For Washington, the report said, its pushback against China alone is not a strategy, adding that Washington "must also clearly express a willingness to pursue negotiated solutions by spelling out specific steps that could restore equity and stability to the relationship."
"Otherwise, the United States risks an irreparable, and possibly avoidable, rupture in this crucially important bilateral relationship," it said.
The authors also advised Beijing and Washington to cooperate as much as possible on issues of mutual concern and shared interests.
Speaking of bilateral economic and trade ties, the report urged caution on Washington's part in reacting to China's global presence.
"National security restrictions on trade and investment should be highly selective, and policymakers should be mindful of their costs, including to America's own innovation ecosystem. Disruption of production chains could hurt global economic stability and growth," the authors said.
