The Fundamental Logics and Changes to US’ China Strategy since the Cold War: Commentary on Obama Administration’s China Policy

　　Abstract: Changes to US’ China strategy during the Obama administration is primarily a continuation of US’ post-Cold War strategy towards China. After the Cold War, US’ repeated attempts to shape China as the new enemy or adversary have failed miserably, leading to a so-called “double surge” effect in “anti-China” swings in the US presidential politics and in the number of conflicting interests between the two countries. At the very heart of US’ China strategy is nationalism, manifested in the language of securitization/desecuritization in security studies. This has been, and will continue to be, the determinant in US’ China strategy. At the time as the two countries foster their 21st-century comprehensive cooperative relations, and as they face common challenges within their partnership framework, the logics of US’ China strategy have the potential to widen conflicts in three areas: the first concerns bilateral issues like climate change, energyenvironment and China’s produce; the second involves relations with third-party states; and the third is the struggle between China and the US on the conventions of the international system.

　　Authors: PAN Yaling, Assistant to Dean and Lecturer, Center for American Studies, Institute of International Studies, Fudan University