Rodney King, whose beating by Los Angeles police in 1991 was caught on camera and sparked deadly riots after the acquittal of the four police officers involved in the incident, asked a plaintive question afterwards regarding the burning of the city that seared our nation’s soul: “
Tom Watkins
It is this simple yet critical and profound question at a moment of crisis that formed an emotional bond with our fellow man. It grew out of a raw hope and a desire to see a nation come together to forge a relationship, a bond as one—to do well by our fellow man. We need this same desire on the international stage as well.
Mr. King died a few years ago, but might this profound question also be asked of Chinese and U.S. leaders? They gather this July 9th and 10th for the Sixth Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) in Beijing to “strengthen communication and discuss cooperation between our two nations.”
Our leaders are gathering at a time where China had clearly shaken off the shame of its “century of humiliation” and has regained its “fuqiang” (“wealth and power”).
While there are clearly tensions between our two nations, the S&ED talks are typically productive and allow for frank and direct conversations on a variety of thorny issues while continually seeking common ground on issues where our mutual interests are aligned.
Watch Their Lips … And Their Hips
There is always much posturing and diplomatic-speak leading up to the strategic dialog meetings. Each side needs to dissect the words and watch for subsequent action in the months to come.
In a recent meeting with U.S. former Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson at the Great Hall of the People, Chinese President Xi said, “China always views and handles the relationship with the United States from a strategic and longstanding point of view, which will not change for a short period or over a single incident.” He continued, “The two countries share more common interests and links than differences and disputes. They should follow the important consensus of building a new-model relationship, enhance mutual trust, expand common interests and strengthen cooperation. The two countries should avoid suspicion and confrontation.” The Chinese President stressed, “China needs a peaceful, stable and cooperative external environment to promote reform, realize national unification and provide sound livelihood for its 1.3 billion people. China will abide by a peaceful development path and shoulder international responsibility and obligation according to its own capability.”
Yet, as these very words are uttered there is tension building in the East and South China Seas, and among China’s neighbors and our allies as China flexes its building, economic, and military muscle. There are border disputes with India, pushback from Hong Kong currently bristling under Communist rule and demonstrating for democracy, and friction with Japan and the Philippines, sparking cyber espionage charges and tension among ethnic minorities (especially the Tibetan an Uighur).
It seems that the U.S. has gotten moral laryngitis and will raise the specter of human rights violations but in an ever-softer voice as China grows up and will once again remind America to mind their own business and to not dare interfere in China’s internal affairs.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew will be in Beijing as President Barack Obama’s special representatives to the S&ED. They will be joined by their Chinese counterparts: State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Vice-Premier Wang Yang. There will be the usual give and take along with the standard posturing on both sides to soothe the nationalistic interests of both nations.
Carla Hills, former U.S. Trade Representative who now chairs the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, is optimistic about the upcoming S&ED. “My hopes are always high. And I hope we can work more closely together on a number of issues,” she said, citing as examples the environment and climate change.
Hills, a thoughtful negotiator, cautioned, “If you and I disagree, I should be quiet and listen, and see whether I can find a way to serve my national interest that does not bother your national interest, as she reflected on the upcoming talks.”
Put another way, as my grandmother often chided her grandchildren, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
The waters ahead are treacherous. Collectively we must follow Deng Xiaoping’s advice: “Cross the river by feeling for the stones.” It is important to the world that we both cross the river safely.
The S&ED conversations will set the stage for President Obama’s visit to Beijing to meet with President Xi in November.
China and the United States hold the most important bi-lateral relationship in the world today. As we enter the joint talks let’s reflect on the wisdom of Mr. Rodney King, “Can We All Get Along?”
How this question is answered will impact the people of the world. The consequences for not getting along are unthinkable on a multitude of levels.
Tom Watkins has had a lifelong interest in China sparked by a great fourth grade teacher. He has worked for over three decades to build economic, educational and cultural ties between the US and China. He is advisor to the University of Michigan Confucius Institute, Michigan’s Economic Development Corporation and Detroit Chinese Business Association. He can be reached at: tdwatkins88@gmail.com or follow Watkins on Twitter @tdwatkins88.
