In security protocol, White House sees Beijing as “only competitor” in reshaping post-Cold War global order
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, issued a document with the National Security strategy of his government this Wednesday (12.Oct.2022) where he considers that China “has the intention and, increasingly, the ability” to reshape the international order for its own benefit.
“The world is now at an inflection point. This decade will be decisive in defining the terms of our competition with China”, Biden said. Here’s the intact (575 KB, in English).
The 48-page document assesses that the global order that emerged with the end of the Cold War “definitely over” and will give rise to a competition between powers where “no nation is in a better position to succeed” than the United States.
The US president cites the strengthening of international institutions, respect for human rights and freedom of the press, safeguarding countries to “determine your own foreign policy choices” and the defense of a global economy that operates “on equal terms” as values to be defended by the country in the new international arena in dispute.
This world view would be being confronted by countries with “authoritative varnish” and with “revisionist foreign policy”such as China and Russia.
The White House defines countries as powers that are “fighting or preparing for wars, actively undermining the democratic political processes of other countries, leveraging technology and supply chains for coercion and repression, and exporting an illiberal model of international order.”
China is seen as the only competitor with the intent as well as the ability to challenge the US by expanding its technological, military and diplomatic capabilities to secure regional influence in Asia and the world.
“Beijing often uses its economic power to coerce countries”according to Biden, and “seeks to make the world more dependent on China while reducing its own dependence on the world.”
Although I believe that Russia “destroyed peace in Europe” with the military operations that sparked the war in Ukraine and puts the world at risk with “reckless nuclear threats”, the document assesses that Moscow does not cover the “capabilities across the spectrum”, like China, to challenge the US geopolitical position.
Biden also considers that challenges shared by countries, such as “climate change, food insecurity, communicable diseases, terrorism, energy shortages and inflation” they are “in the center” of the debate on international security and, therefore, “should be treated as such”.
Cooperation with the Chinese government, given its role “central to the global economy”, in this sense, it is not ruled out by Biden.
“It is possible for the United States and China to peacefully coexist and share and contribute to human progress together”says the document.
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