Introduction:
Relations between the United States and China, more than any other bilateral relationship, will shape international affairs in the twenty-first century. Yet the future of China-US relations is uncertain. In addition to dynamic changes within both nations, rapid global economic, political, and environmental transformations are creating new avenues for both cooperation and confrontation. By any measure, the nature of China-US relations - whether it is based on conflict or cooperation - will largely define regional and global governance issues for the next twenty years. The policy decisions made today and tomorrow based on early perceptions of this emerging strategic partnership will have profound impacts in the years to come. Such a moment demands - and provides an opportunity for - fresh thinking and new conceptual frameworks. It requires deep, sustained and well-informed strategic thought about a range of possible futures. Decision-makers and experts from both countries will need to reconsider old assumptions and develop new tools to understand and manage rapid change and new interdependencies across issue areas (energy, environment, economy, security). Most important, analysts from both China and the US need to develop new ways of thinking and strategizing together in a variety of changed circumstances. (Hunter, 2000)
A mixed opinion is found on Opposition to Punitive Stance or Cutting Back Trade with China.
Among the many poll questions that address trade between both the countries, there are a small number in which the majority has opposed limiting trade with China, or the public was divided. In each case the language of the poll question described such trade restrictions in punitive or confrontational terms, or described cutting back trade--rather than just limiting the growth of trade.
The strongest example was in a September 1999 Mark Penn survey. Asked "the best way to encourage change in China" only.......
