Shaping U.S.-China Relations

No relationship is likely to be more important to Americas security and economic interests in the years ahead than that with China. Nevertheless, a coherent and consistent U.S. policy toward China remains an elusive goal. U.S. policymakers have been unable to achieve consensus on such central issues as the nature of Chinas emerging power, how this power will affect U.S. interests, and how the United States should craft an enduring policy to manage its relationship with this emerging power. Without such agreement, U.S. policy responds overwhelmingly to immediate events and lacks the necessary strategic vision.