February 2012 marked the 40th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s historic trip to China. In hindsight, Nixon’s decision to open relations with China is seen as one of the major diplomatic achievements of the latter half of the 20th century. Forty years later, a generation of Millennials is learning Mandarin, working and studying in China, and thinking deeply about the prospect of American decline in an Asian century. To mark this milestone, members of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP), each with unique perspectives on China and East Asian affairs, gave their views on China's role in today's world. This is the final article a four-part series.
As political transitions fray nerves on both sides of the Pacific, U.S.-China relations are an increasingly hot topic. There is, however, a strong tradition of U.S.-China collaboration bringing both nations through difficult times. At several critical junctures in world history, Americans have gone to China to the benefit of both nations. Their boldness in cooperation with the Chinese people was instrumental to the resolutions of World War II and the Cold War. It now falls upon the Millennials to follow in their footsteps to overcome today’s challenges.
With the formal declaration of war between China and Japan in 1937, Americans found welcome allies after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. As early as December 20, 1941, American volunteers in the Chinese air force were flying raids over China against Japanese planes. These “Flying Tigers” were aided by a dedicated network of Chinese citizens who built makeshift runways and an efficient air-raid warning system. U.S.-China cooperation played a decisive role in defeating the Japanese.
After relations soured in the years that followed, President Nixon led the next group of Americans to China in February 1972. His historic visit was a turning point in favor of the United States during the Cold War. Nixon’s diplomatic reengagement also fostered the development of commercial and cultural exchanges that have made the U.S.-China relationship increasingly important during our lifetimes.
In the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union, exports to the United States helped lift hundreds of millions of Chinese out of poverty and raised the living standards of Americans. China’s accession to the WTO in 2001 provided American businesses greater access to the world’s fastest growing market. In this early phase of the post-Cold War era, the world looked to American consumers to drive growth, but this unsustainable structure began giving way in the lead up to the financial collapse in 2008 – a historical inflection point that we, as young Americans, must manage.
The rise of China and other nations while the U.S. economy stagnates has inspired belief in the inevitability of American decline. This is nonsense. History lies in the hands of those who live it. Yes, our challenges are great, but so too is our record. America’s record is one of boldness, adaptation, and building winning partnerships. While too many on both sides feel that China and the United States are locked in a zero-sum struggle, the next generation of foreign policy professionals is tasked with figuring out how cooperation and competition can be beneficial for both sides in a period of rapid global economic changes.
To preserve competitiveness, American institutions, businesses, and individuals must create mutually beneficial networks that draw upon diverse strengths as America adapts to a world driven by growth beyond its borders. It is vital that more young American professionals go to China to develop the language skills and cultural knowledge needed to ensure that this generation becomes responsible stewards of the U.S.-China relationship.
Abe Sorock is the founder of ATLAS, a consulting firm that helps American and Chinese companies with international operations develop their cross-cultural business capacities by engaging young professionals. Will Turner is the Government Affairs Manager of the U.S.-China Business Council. Both Mr. Sorock and Turner are members of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and not of the U.S.-China Business Council.
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The China Puzzle, Part IV: Go East for your Country, Young Americans
April 3, 2012
February 2012 marked the 40th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s historic trip to China. In hindsight, Nixon’s decision to open relations with China is seen as one of the major diplomatic achievements of the latter half of the 20th century. Forty years later, a generation of Millennials is learning Mandarin, working and studying in China, and thinking deeply about the prospect of American decline in an Asian century. To mark this milestone, members of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP), each with unique perspectives on China and East Asian affairs, gave their views on China's role in today's world. This is the final article a four-part series.
As political transitions fray nerves on both sides of the Pacific, U.S.-China relations are an increasingly hot topic. There is, however, a strong tradition of U.S.-China collaboration bringing both nations through difficult times. At several critical junctures in world history, Americans have gone to China to the benefit of both nations. Their boldness in cooperation with the Chinese people was instrumental to the resolutions of World War II and the Cold War. It now falls upon the Millennials to follow in their footsteps to overcome today’s challenges.
With the formal declaration of war between China and Japan in 1937, Americans found welcome allies after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. As early as December 20, 1941, American volunteers in the Chinese air force were flying raids over China against Japanese planes. These “Flying Tigers” were aided by a dedicated network of Chinese citizens who built makeshift runways and an efficient air-raid warning system. U.S.-China cooperation played a decisive role in defeating the Japanese.
After relations soured in the years that followed, President Nixon led the next group of Americans to China in February 1972. His historic visit was a turning point in favor of the United States during the Cold War. Nixon’s diplomatic reengagement also fostered the development of commercial and cultural exchanges that have made the U.S.-China relationship increasingly important during our lifetimes.
In the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union, exports to the United States helped lift hundreds of millions of Chinese out of poverty and raised the living standards of Americans. China’s accession to the WTO in 2001 provided American businesses greater access to the world’s fastest growing market. In this early phase of the post-Cold War era, the world looked to American consumers to drive growth, but this unsustainable structure began giving way in the lead up to the financial collapse in 2008 – a historical inflection point that we, as young Americans, must manage.
The rise of China and other nations while the U.S. economy stagnates has inspired belief in the inevitability of American decline. This is nonsense. History lies in the hands of those who live it. Yes, our challenges are great, but so too is our record. America’s record is one of boldness, adaptation, and building winning partnerships. While too many on both sides feel that China and the United States are locked in a zero-sum struggle, the next generation of foreign policy professionals is tasked with figuring out how cooperation and competition can be beneficial for both sides in a period of rapid global economic changes.
To preserve competitiveness, American institutions, businesses, and individuals must create mutually beneficial networks that draw upon diverse strengths as America adapts to a world driven by growth beyond its borders. It is vital that more young American professionals go to China to develop the language skills and cultural knowledge needed to ensure that this generation becomes responsible stewards of the U.S.-China relationship.
Abe Sorock is the founder of ATLAS, a consulting firm that helps American and Chinese companies with international operations develop their cross-cultural business capacities by engaging young professionals. Will Turner is the Government Affairs Manager of the U.S.-China Business Council. Both Mr. Sorock and Turner are members of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and not of the U.S.-China Business Council.
