The US Foreign Policy Respond to China's Rise in 2000-2010 - Research Proposal Example

What is the US Foreign Policy to Respond the Rise of China in 2000 Hypotheses The Unites s perceives China as a threat to its economic, military and political prowess and has instituted a foreign policy that aims at containing the perceived threat. Research questions 1. Does China produce weapons of mass destruction? 2. Is China a threat to the international community? 3. Is China a rival to the United States? 4. Is there human rights violation and lack of political freedom in China? Background of the Study China and its spectacular economic rise as well as military modernization are some of the post political events that have taken place in Asia since Korean War. The United States is keenly watching the implications of the rise of China. In addition, China’s rise is being debated about globally among foreign policy and security experts as to what it means to the rest of the world. Importantly, China’s influence to its neighbor’s is also being watched keenly1. Will China become an adversary? Will China challenge United States’ power? How do nations of Asia feel about the rise of China to be a super power? Literature review America has been championing for the honoring of human rights and democracy. China’s one party dictatorship has proved to the main problem affecting United States’ efforts to institute democratic principles in the country. China has engaged in human rights violations as well as suppression of political freedom. As a result, the United States policy makers have faced pressure to encourage the Chinese Leadership to show more respect for human frights a promote a freer political realm. However, China sees opposition leaders as being supported by the United States to cause disunity in China2. The U.S foreign policy toward China moved from a containment policy at the height of the cold war to an engagement policy. In essence, the ideology of American foreign policy has long been based on two concepts of “Whiteman’s burden’ and “manifest destiny’. “ Whiteman’s burden’ refers to American policy for world liberalization and the improvement of human condition. America has demanded for the institutionalization o democratic principles and rule of law in China. “Manifest destiny” refers to the lack of mutual respect to international market forces. The United States see China as major rival in world economy. America no longer views China as the most promising trade partner. In the year 2000, President Bush made it clear that China had become a rival and a competitor, the president further noted that China was no longer a constructive strategic partner. The United States has since emphasized on the need to have Japan as an ally and downplay the contribution of China. Tensions between United States and China emerged in April 2001 when EP-3 spy plane got involved in Hainan incident. The incidents could have led to military confrontation3. The United States demand that Chinese leaders honor human rights and promote political freedom. In addition, China shoulkd maintain bilateral cooperation and build trust required for managing a growing array of economic and security challenges. In addition, the United States have been challenged in making decisions concerning the bilateral confrontation over the status of Taiwan. Further, the United States has been experiencing challenges in making policy decisions concerning the alleged involvement of China in production of nuclear weapons4. In the year 2005, Donald Rumsfeld (US defense secretary) claimed that China was a major threat in the production of nuclear weapons and the advancement of the Chinese Military. However, the Chinese Defense minister argued that China’s financial resources were not being used to acquire weapons of mass destruction as claimed by Donald Rumsfeld. Apart from Rumsfeld, the US secretary of state (Robert Zoelick) also criticized China for investing in nuclear weapons. American leaders and policy makers have criticize China for lack of transparency and that China will become a threat to international security5. After the terror attacks in 2001 September, America has changed its policy towards China. China is no longer seen as a challenger or rival. The United States see China as an ally in fighting terrorism, and a partner in tackling the North Korea nuclear projects. In particular, the Bush administration made attempts to foster peace in the Middle East and Asia region. In addition, the Bush Administration saw the need to avoid military confrontation with China so that they could concentrate on the war against terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. The United States has seen the sense in supporting Taiwan as a democracy as well as trying to separate Taiwan from China6. Apart from security and strategic issue, the United States see economic dimension as the next challenge. There are issues that cause friction in the economic dimension between the United States and China. First, the two countries have differed on trade deficit and currency issues. The United States had a trade deficit with China of $ 617.7 billion in 2004. However, the United States has blamed China for manipulating its currency. Consequently, the United States policy makers have demanded for the increase in pressure to let the Yuan free-floating. The other policy issue that has been bothering the United States concerns intellectual property rights. China is still not able to meet some of the guidelines put in place by the world trade organization (WTO). China became part of the WTO organization in 2001. In addition, US policy makers have also been concerned about China’s export of labor-intensive and low-cost goods to the United States. The United States has held discussions on whether to impose more tariffs or have a stricter quota system towards products from China. Further, the policy makers are concerned with China’s increasing bidding activity to purchase important industry and commercial items, for instance, Lenovo vs. IBM7. Theoretical framework Liberalism Liberalism is about individual liberty. Liberalism emerged as a distinct political theory as a call for freedom of speech and of thought. Freedom of thought and speech that has been seen in Europe and America is precious and is the greatest liberty of all. Liberalism can be achieved through devotion to human reason. Liberalists call for freedom of press and freedom of conscience by demanding reason and truth8. This theory is important in explaining the political intolerance in China. China has continues to suppress human rights and political freedom. Opposition leaders have been put into custody for speaking against the government. In addition, the freedom of press is also suppressed in China. The United States has piled pressure on China to honor human rights and the freedom of press. Liberalism cannot be achieved when the freedom of press and political freedom become dreams that cannot be realized. Consequently, the theory is appropriate in explaining China’s quest to have weapons of mass destruction. According Liberalism, human being and states should be driven by reason and truth. The production of weapons of mass destruction by China is not good for the security of the international community. Reason should be applied while engaging in any activity, knowing the consequences, and them making the right choices. Institutional incompatibilities have affected the rise of liberalism in China. There are problems that exist in state planning and the capital market. In China, capital markets rely on private property rights. In addition, Chinese political leaders have seen no reason in sanctioning those rights because they fear they can be removed from leadership. Further, Chinese middle class has fought for fundamental political freedom for several years now. There is need to create a limited government that will honor the law and institute democratic principles. Importantly, the middle class have demanded the removal of authoritarian C.P.P government9. Bibliography Brzezinski Zbigniew & Scowcroft Brent. America and The World: Conversations On The Future Of American Foreign Policy. New York. Basic Books. 2009. Bush Richard. Untying the Knot: Making Peace in the Taiwan Strait. New York. Brookings Institution Press. 2005. Cohen Warren. America’s Response to China: a History of Sino-American Relations. Columbia University Pree. 2010. Jonson Chalmers. The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic. New York. Henry Holt And Company. 2005. Sutter Robert. Chinese Policy Priorities and Their Implications for the United States. New York. Rowman & Litle Field. 2008. Zhao Suisheng. China-US Relations Transformed: Perceptions And Strategic Interactions. London. Routledge. 2008. Zhu Zhiqun. US-China in the 21 Century: Power Transition and Peace. London. Taylor & Francis. 2006. Read More