Wu Zurong, Research Fellow, China Foundation for Int'l Studies
Feb 20, 2017
Trump’s commitment to honor the one-China policy opens the door for discussions on many ways to develop the world’s most important bilateral relationship, and to seek constructive approaches to resolve each other’s major concerns.
Shen Dingli, Professor, Institute of International Studies, Fudan University
Feb 16, 2017
The US President Donald Trump talked to Chinese President Xi Jinping last week. In the White House press readout, the call was termed as “lengthy” and “cordial”. At Trump’s press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a day later, he described his conversation with Chinese counterpart on the phone as “very warm”.
Richard Weitz, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
Feb 15, 2017
Political, pragmatic, and bureaucratic factors have been pushing Trump to pursue more traditional foreign and security policies. His response to the North Korean missile launch, meeting with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and recognition of the One China principle resembled those of previous presidents. However, Trump still has major differences with Japan and China, while his continuing Obama’s North Korean policy of castigating the regime, working with other countries like China to apply additional sanctions, deploying regional missile defenses, and refusing to engage with Pyongyang until it recommits to ending its nuclear program will likely still not yield appreciable results besides giving North Korea time to perfect its nuclear and missile capabilities.
Yin Chengde, Research Fellow, China Foundation for International Studies
Feb 13, 2017
The new president’s rhetoric on China doesn’t reflect the realities of the beneficial relationship that has been cultivated for more than 40 years. A Trump shift to a practical policy on China, so as to maintain a steady growth momentum of Sino-US relations, would not only be a blessing to China and United States, but also a blessing to the world.
Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute
Feb 09, 2017
Conflict often results during power transitions. The U.S. should learn from Great Britain’s policy toward the rabidly nationalistic rising giant on the North American continent. After fighting two wars with its one-time colonists, Britain wisely chose peace.
Su Xiaohui, Deputy Director of Int'l & Strategic Studies, CIIS
Feb 09, 2017
While China must prepare worst-case scenarios in the wake of the new president’s rhetoric, Trump has just started his presidency. It is not too late for him to initiate a new and positive stage of the bilateral relationship with China.
Center on US-China Relations, Asia Society,
Feb 09, 2017
No national interest is furthered by abandoning or conditioning this policy (One China Policy) on other issues. To do so would very likely end up increasing Taiwan’s vulnerabilities, destabilizing the Asia-Pacific region, and jeopardizing broad US interests.
Teng Jianqun, Director of the Department of U.S. Studies, China Institute of International Studies
Feb 08, 2017
As the transition process runs its due course, frictions may wax and wane, but China will respond to the evolving situation and adapt to the US political, economic and security policy changes to ensure that bilateral ties remain on an even keel.
Beth Smits, PhD candidate, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University
Feb 06, 2017
In January 2017, China released a document that helps interpret the policy goals of President Xi Jinping, particularly his speech in May 2014 where he promoted, “New Asian security concept for new progress in security cooperation.” The Trump administration should take note of three points in the new document: China’s country relations, the South China Sea, and the conspicuous absence of certain information, as each will have a critical role in U.S.-China relations.
Ben Reynolds, Writer and Foreign Policy Analyst in New York
Feb 07, 2017
Trump’s nomination of Rex Tillerson has been criticized due to Tillerson’s amateurish understanding of U.S.-China relations, but other changes by the Trump administration present the major benefits and risks for China. While the administration’s closer ties with Russia and incentives to distract from domestic failure may pose a threat to China, the Chinese government has the opportunity to present itself as the more stable guardian of regional security.