Dialogue with Li Haidong

• Source: Global Times
• [10:54 November 16 2009]
• Comments

Interviewee: Li Haidong, vice professor of Institute of International Relations, China Foreign Affairs University

Global Times: Compared with his predecessors, Barack Obama is the first US president to visit China in the first year of his term. And high-level officials from both sides have interacted frequently this year. Do you think it means that the US’ policy on China has changed? Or is it Obama’s expedient measures due to the financial crisis?

Li Haidong: The US’ policy on China has the characteristics of continuity. With the increasing development of the Chinese economy and high level China-US economic integration due to globalization, China-US relations have a solid foundation of steady development. The US which suffers from the financial crisis and has a high percentage of unemployment is aware of the indispensable role played by China in the recovery of the American economy. At present, on issues like climate change, nuclear non-proliferation policy and counter-terrorism, the Obama administration has been aware of China’s strategic position. Thus, China-US relations will continue the good foundation from the Bush administration and consolidate ties in this changing world.

Global Times:  From the India/ Russia/ Japan/ South Korea/ Europe/ Australia/ US perspective, what does the US’s putting more importance on China stand for? What influence it will bring to China-India/ China-Russia/ China-Japan/ China-Australia/ China-South Korea/ China- Europe relations? Will India/ Russia/ Japan/ South Korea/ Europe/ Australia adjust its foreign policy according to the development of the current Sino-US relationship? If so, what is the adjustment?

Li Haidong: The US attaches more importance to China’s views on global and regional issues and the significant role China plays in the world. Meanwhile, compared with other western countries which hold different views from the US, China’s flexible and realistic policy does more good than harm to American foreign policy.
American emphasis on China will encourage its allies and partners to consider strengthening relations with China as their important task. Therefore, India, Russia, Japan, European countries and Australia will adjust their diplomatic relations with China because of the closer ties between China and US.