By Cheng Li

September 15, 2015

"Beijing Review: Some U.S. scholars pessimistically claim that Sino-U.S. relations have reached a tipping point. You recently suggested that relations between the two countries need strategic rethinking. How should we understand this idea?

Cheng Li: 'Strategic rethinking' is an issue that both China and the United States need to consider.

From China's perspective, its strategic rethinking should follow the idea developed by the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in the 1970-80s. Deng believed that peace and development are the two major themes of the contemporary world. Should Beijing continue to adhere to this strategic judgment given the rapidly changing world situation? The answer to this question also encompasses whether conflict between China and the United States is inevitable and how to avoid such conflict. China also needs to rethink whether its priority is to resolve its current domestic problems or focus more on international issues.

Two kinds of irrational thinking on China are currently getting some momentum in the United States. The first is that China is too assertive and Xi is another Mao-like strong leader. The second is that China is incapable of dealing with domestic problems such as the economic downturn and corrupt officials. These simple - sharply contrasting - views arrive at the same conclusion that Washington should take a tough and more confrontational approach toward China."

Read more:
http://www.brookings.edu/research/interviews/2015/09/15-sino-us-ties-need-a-strategic-rethinking-li

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