Since 2017, America’s National Security Strategy has focused on great power competition, and today much of Washington is busy portraying our relationship with China as a new cold war. Obviously, great power competition remains a crucial aspect of foreign policy, but we must not let it obscure the growing transnational security threats that technology is putting on the agenda.

The notion of persuading countries in an expanded G7 to adhere to the U.S. line for containing China has far too much working against it. The schism between America and Europe is only widening under the unpredictable impulses of the current U.S. president.

Leadership – the ability to help people frame and achieve their goals – is absolutely crucial during a crisis. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill demonstrated this in 1940, as did Nelson Mandela during South Africa’s transition from apartheid.

Belated COVID-19 mobilization has resulted in massive human costs and huge economic damage. If appropriate science-based medical policies are further ignored, a multi-year global contraction could follow.

Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. China has confidence in its socialist path, theory, system and culture. China’s strengths are evident it its response to the coronavirus epidemic.

Under constant attack from various corners of the United States, China may have difficulty sustaining a new type of major-country relationship. Its policies are at a crossroad.

China and the United States need to economic and technological competition in a healthy and peaceful zone because it’s normal and necessary for progress.

A tragic sensibility after the experience of two world wars compelled the United States to establish a new international order backed by American power. After decades of relative peace and prosperity, however, this sensibility is waning – as the United States demonstrates a lack of collective will to maintain its position on the global stage. As China increasingly assumes the position of a world power, it must maintain its tragic sensibility and awareness of crisis.

As U.S. policy has grown increasingly aggressive, China’s posture has shifted, with long-term effects.

It’s only a matter of time before the United States loses its predominant position as the controller of international rhetoric and is supplanted by China as allies and partners lose confidence.