Principles of the American Approach to the PRC: Ideology and Struggle for Influence

22
DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2024-68-9-39-54
EDN: PUNAWH
Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO), 23, Profsoyuznaya Str., Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation.
 

Received 20.11.2023. Revised 20.02.2024. Accepted 06.05.2024.

Abstract. The article analyzes the principles that determine the US policy towards the PRC in terms of ideological confrontation and struggle for the influence in the Indo-Pacific region. It is noted that such features of the Chinese political system as rule by law, autocracy and state-directed mercantilism are seen as its vulnerabilities. The U. S. competitive approach to the PRC is focused on exacerbating and exploiting them. China’s economic slowdown is expected to make the CCP uncertain of its own legitimacy and force the party to rely on authoritarian practices of social control to maintain political power. This, in its turn, will provoke social discontent and decrease support for the party among the population. Restrictions on Chinese technology companies and tightening of the counterintelligence regime against Chinese undergraduate and graduate students studying at U.S. universities are intended to impede China’s access to advanced technologies and developments. Beijing’s actions, interpreted as authoritarian practices, are used by Washington to rally allies and partners on the ideological basis and to justify sanctions. These actions include the re-education policy in Xinjiang, the Hong Kong policy, export of Chinese technological systems and internal control practices to the Indo-Pacific countries, and others. It is indicated that this approach was countered by the Washington’s right to free access to information and policy to protect Internet freedom. In the real world, it aims to undermine state control over information in countries that import Chinese practices of social control. The key role in implementing this approach is assigned to systems that will circumvent Internet traffic restrictions both in the Indo-Pacific states and in China itself. The U. S. approach to defense and security in the Indo-Pacific region focuses on the transition from a hub-and-spoke system to federated defense. It is recognized that while the federated approach initially focused on the U.S. allies, Washington is now integrating its regional partners as well. There are two stages in the implementation of this U.S. defense strategy. During the first stage, Washington creates separate elements of the future military alliance which still function as independent units. Such elements are represented by minilateral coalitions that are formed of states that have comparable or complementary capabilities in spheres that are key to China’s deterrence. These include AUKUS focused on building nuclear submarines, the upcoming trilateral alliance of Japan, South Korea, and the United States in missile defense, QUAD, and others. During the second stage, it is probably intended to unite the established coalitions under a single defense structure. It is pointed out that Washington’s choice in favor of this two-stage scheme is due to the need to refrain at the current stage from actions that would provoke the states of the region to choose a side between the United States and China, which would be inevitable in the case of creation of a full-fledged U.S. military alliance in the Indo-Pacific. It is noticed that the Biden administration effectively counters Beijing in international organizations. It has largely succeeded in frustrating China’s strategy to dominate them and in transforming them from within.

Keywords: rule by law, autocracy, state-directed mercantilism, Chinese Communist Party, U.S.–China relations, Indo-Pacific region, Xinjiang, competitive approach, AUKUS, federated defense


REFERENCES

1. Lampton D.M. Rethinking How America Engages China. Johns Hopkins University – School of Advanced International Studies, 2016. 9 p. Available at: https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/David%20Lampton%20Testimony_033116.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

2. Sullivan J. The World After Trump: How the System Can Endure. Foreign Affairs, 2018, vol. 97, no. 2, pp. 10-19. Available at: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2018-03-05/world-after-trump (accessed 10.11.2023).

3. Kuznetsov N.D. Principles of the American Approach to Relations with PRC: Political Confrontation. World Eñonomy and International Relations, 2023, vol. 67, no. 11, pp. 46-57. (In Russ.) Available at: https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2023-67-11-46-57 

4. Friedberg A. NSC68 Plus 68. 2017. Strategic Competition with China. U. S. House Committee on Armed Services. One Hundred Fifteen Congress Second Session. 15.02.2018. Washington, U. S. Government Publishing Office, 2018, pp. 65-89. Available at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-115hhrg28995/pdf/CHRG-115hhrg28995.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

5. Mikheev V., Lukonin S. Âeijing’s Pain Points. World Eñonomy and International Relations, 2020, vol. 64, no. 5, pp. 5-15. (In Russ.) Available at: https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2020-64-5-5-15 

6. Greitens S.C., Lee M., Yazici E. Counterterrorism as Preventive Repression: China’s Changing Strategy in Xinjiang. International Security, 2020, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 9-47. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1162/ISEC_a_00368 

7. Greitens S.C. Prepared Testimony before the U. S. Senate Armed Services Committee. Hearing on “The United States’ Strategic Competition with China”, 08.06.2021. The University of Texas at Austin, 2021. 9 p. Available at: https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/06.08%20Greitens%20Testimony.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

8. Bowe A. China’s Overseas United Front Work: Background and Implications for the United States. U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission, 2018. 39 p. Available at: https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/Research/China%27s%20Overseas%20United%20Front%20Work%20-%20Background%20and%20Implications%20for%20US_final_0.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

9. Peterson R. Outsourced to China: Confucius Institutes and Soft Power in American Higher Education. National Association of Scholars, 2017. 185 p. Available at: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED580866.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

10. Jones S.G., Harding E. et al. Competing without Fighting: China’s Strategy of Political Warfare. Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2023. 145 p. Available at: https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2023-08/230802_Jones_CompetingwithoutFighting.pdf?VersionId=Zb5B2Le0lf0kk7.QH7E0meA9phGqQEZf (accessed 10.11.2023).

11. Ratner E., Kliman D. et al. Rising to the China Challenge: Renewing American Competitiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Center for a New American Security, 2019. 69 p. Available at: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/backgrounds/documents/CNAS-Report-NDAA-final-6.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

12. Ratner E. Blunting China’s Illiberal Order. Center for a New American Security, 2019. 12 p. Available at: https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/sites/default/files/documents/6826712/National-Security-Archive-165-Blunting-China-s.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

13. Rolland N. Testimony before the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission. Hearing on The “China Model”, 13.03.2020. The National Bureau of Asian Research, 2020. Available at: https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/testimonies/USCC%20China%20Model%20Testimony%20March%202020_NR_FINAL_justified_paginated.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

14. Shullman D. China’s Threat to Global Norms. Hearing on “A ‘China Model?’ Beijing’s Promotion of Alternative Global Norms and Standards”, 13.03.2020. International Republican Institute, 2020. Available at: https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/testimonies/Shullman_Testimony_USCC_FINAL.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

15. Mazarr M.J., Frederick B. et al. Understanding Influence in the Strategic Competition with China. Santa Monica, RAND Corporation, 2021. 168 p. Available at: https://doi.org/10.7249/RR-A290-1 

16. Ratner E. Geostrategic and Military Drivers and Implications of the Belt and Road. Council on Foreign Relations, 2018. 8 p. Available at: https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/Ratner_USCC%20Testimony%20CORRECTED.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

17. Campbell K.M. The Pivot: The Future of American Statecraft in Asia. New York, NY: Twelve: Hachette Book Group, 2016. 432 p.

18. Hicks K.H. Testimony before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2016. Available at: https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/Kathleen%20Hicks%20Testimony_033116.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

19. Green M.J., Hicks K.H., Cooper Z. Federated Defense in Asia. Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2014. 42 p. Available at: https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/legacy_files/files/publication/141120_Green_FederatedDefenseAsia_Web.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

20. Hass R. U.S.–China Relations: The Search for a New Equilibrium. Chhabra T., Doshi R., eds. Global China: Assessing China’s Growing Role in the World. Washington, D.C., Brookings Institution Press, 2021, pp. 102-110.

21.Cheung T., Mahnken T. et al. Planning for Innovation: Understanding China’s Plans for Technological, Energy, Industrial, and Defense Development. University of California, 2016. 335 p. Available at: https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/Research/Planning%20for%20Innovation%20-%20Understanding%20China%27s%20Plans%20for%20Tech%20Energy%20Industrial%20and%20Defense%20Development072816.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

22. Lee K. The United Nations: An Emerging Battleground for Influence. Center for a New American Security, 2020. 10 p. Available at: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/backgrounds/documents/Lee_Testimony.pdf?mtime=20200722083241&focal=none (accessed 10.11.2023).

23. Barshefsky C., Greenberg E.G., Huntsman J.M. Jr. Reinvigorating U. S. Economic Strategy in the Asia Pacific. Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2017. 52 p. Available at: https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/publication/161228_Barshefsky_USEconomicStrategyAsiaPacific_Web.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

24. Pottinger M.F. Beijing’s Grand Strategy to Displace America. The Hoover Institution, Stanford University, 2021. 5 p. Available at: https://www.hoover.org/sites/default/files/written_testimony_to_sasc1.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

25. Brandt J., Cooper Z., Hanlon B., Rosenberger L. Linking Values and Strategy: How Democracies Can Offset Autocratic Advances. Alliance for Securing Democracy, German Marshall Fund of the United States, 2020. 32 p. Available at: https://securingdemocracy.gmfus.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Linking-Values-and-Strategy.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).


SOURCES

1. United States Strategic Approach to the People’s Republic of China. The White House, 2020. Available at: https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/U.S.-Strategic-Approach-to-The-Peoples-Republic-of-China-Report-5.24v1.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

2. National Security Strategy of the United States of America. The White House, 2017. Available at: https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/NSS-Final-12-18-2017-0905.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

3. Annual Report. Congressional-Executive Commission on China, 2011. 351 p. Available at: https://www.cecc.gov/publications/annual-reports/2011-annual-report (accessed 10.11.2023).

4. Annual Report. Congressional-Executive Commission on China, 2012. 290 p. Available at: https://www.cecc.gov/publications/annual-reports/2012-annual-report (accessed 10.11.2023).

5. Annual Report. Congressional-Executive Commission on China, 2017. 336 p. Available at: https://www.cecc.gov/publications/annual-reports/2017-annual-report (accessed 10.11.2023).

6. 2020 Report to Congress of the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission. U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission, 2020. 587 p. Available at: https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/2020_Annual_Report_to_Congress.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

7. S.1731 – United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992. Available at: https://www.congress.gov/102/statute/STATUTE-106/STATUTE-106-Pg1448.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

8. H.R.7440 – Hong Kong Autonomy Act, 2020. Available at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-116publ149/pdf/PLAW-116publ149.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

9. Executive Order 13936. The President’s Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization, 14.07.2020. Available at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-07-17/pdf/2020-15646.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

10. America Stands for Freedom. Speech. Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State. Vertual Remarks at the IRI Dinner and John S. McCain Freedom Award Ceremony. U. S. Department of State, 13.10.2020. Available at: https://2017-2021.state.gov/america-stands-for-freedom/index.html (accessed 10.11.2023).

11. The U. S. and Australia: The Unbreakable Alliance. Speech. Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State. U. S. Department of State, 04.08.2019. Available at: https://2017-2021.state.gov/the-u-s-and-australia-the-unbreakable-alliance/index.html (accessed 10.11.2023).

12. State Legislatures and the China Challenge. Speech. Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State. U. S. Department of State, 23.09.2020. Available at: https://2017-2021.state.gov/state-legislatures-and-the-china-challenge/index.html (accessed 10.11.2023).

13. Securing Freedom in the Heart of Europe. Speech. Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State. U. S. Department of State, 12.08.2020. Available at: https://2017-2021.state.gov/securing-freedom-in-the-heart-of-europe/index.html (accessed 10.11.2023).

14. Secure a Decisive Victory in Building a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects and Strive for the Great Success of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Delivered at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China 18.10.2017. Xi Jinping. 66 p. Available at: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/download/Xi_Jinping’s_report_at_19th_CPC_National_Congress.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

15. A Letter to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, 08.07.2019. Available at: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/supporting_resources/190708_joint_statement_xinjiang.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

16. The Elements of the China Challenge. The Policy Planning Staff, Office of the Secretary of State, 2020. 74 p. Available at: https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20-02832-Elements-of-China-Challenge-508.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

17. The United States’ Strategic Competition with China. U. S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, 08.06.2021. 139 p. Available at: https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/21-46_06-08-2021.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

18. China’s Impact on the U. S. Education System. U. S. Senate Homeland Security Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, 2019. 96 p. Available at: https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/imo/media/doc/PSI%20Report%20China’s%20Impact%20on%20the%20US%20Education%20System.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

19. Rejecting Confucius Funding. By Redden E. Inside Higher Ed, 28.04.2014. Available at: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/04/29/chicago-faculty-object-their-campuss-confucius-institute (accessed 10.11.2023).

20. Affidavit in Support of Application for Criminal Complaint. U. S. Department of Justice, 2020. Available at: https://www.justice.gov/d9/press-releases/attachments/2020/01/28/charging_documents.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

21. Case No. * 19-20052-JAR/JPO. Sealed Indicment. U. S. Department of Justice, 2019. Available at: https://www.justice.gov/d9/press-releases/attachments/2019/08/21/tao_indict_0.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

22. Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from the People’s Republic of China. The White House, 29.05.2020. Available at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-06-04/pdf/2020-12217.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

23. Executive Order 13873 – Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain. The White House, 15.05.2019. Available at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/DCPD-201900310/pdf/DCPD-201900310.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

24. Executive Order 13913 – Establishing the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector. The White House, 04.04.2020. Available at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/DCPD-202000242/pdf/DCPD-202000242.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

25. U. S. Strategic Framework for The Indo-Pacific. U. S. National Security Council, 2017. Available at: https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/IPS-Final-Declass.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

26. 2016 Republican Party Platform. 66 p. Available at: https://int.nyt.com/data/documenthelper/7019-republican-platform/cc2c15a0e1b432d6964b/optimized/full.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

27. A Shared Vision for Advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief for All. U. S. Department of State, 17.11.2020. Available at: https://2017-2021.state.gov/a-shared-vision-for-advancing-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-for-all/index.html (accessed 10.11.2023).

28. Determination of the Secretary of State on Atrocities in Xinjiang. Speech. Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State. U. S. Department of State, 19.01.2021. Available at: https://2017-2021.state.gov/determination-of-the-secretary-of-state-on-atrocities-in-xinjiang/ (accessed 10.11.2023).

29. National Security Strategy. The White House, 2015. Available at: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2015_national_security_strategy_2.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

30. National Cybersecurity Strategy. The White House, 2023. Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/National-Cybersecurity-Strategy-2023.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

31. The Spirit of Camp David: Joint Statement of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States. The White House, 18.08.2023. Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/18/the-spirit-of-camp-david-joint-statement-of-japan-the-republic-of-korea-and-the-united-states/ (accessed 10.11.2023).

32. Improve Our Ability to Participate in Global Governance. Speech at the 35th group study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee 27.09.2016. Xi Jinping. Available at: http://en.npc.gov.cn.cdurl.cn/2021-12/28/c_693881.htm (accessed 10.11.2023).

33. PRC Representation in International Organizations. U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission, 2021. 24 p. Available at: https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/2021-05/PRC_Representation_in_International_Organizations_May2021.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

34. Memorandum to President Barack Obama and the United States Congress. The Asia-Pacific Strategy Working Group, 04.06.2013. Available at: https://project2049.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/asia_strategy_memo.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

35. Brussels Summit Communiqué. Brussels, 14.07.2021. Available at: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_185000.htm?selectedLocale=en (accessed 10.11.2023).

36. Transatlantic To-Do List. Munich Security Conference, 2023. Available at: https://securityconference.org/assets/user_upload/221213_MSC_TTDL_680x460mm.pdf (accessed 10.11.2023).

37. Annual Report. Congressional-Executive Commission on China, 2015. 339 p. Available at: https://www.cecc.gov/publications/annual-reports/2015-annual-report (accessed 10.11.2023).


For citation:
Kuznetsov N. Principles of the American Approach to the PRC: Ideology and Struggle for Influence. World Eñonomy and International Relations, 2024, vol. 68, no. 9, pp. 39-54. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2024-68-9-39-54 EDN: PUNAWH



Comments (0)

No comments

Add comment







Indexed

 

 

 

 

Dear authors! Please note that in the VAK List of peer-reviewed scientific journals, in which the main scientific results of dissertations for the degree of candidate and doctor of sciences should be published for the “MEMO Journal” the following specialties are recorded:
economic sciences:
5.2.5. World Economy.
5.2.1. Economic Theory
5.2.3. Regional and Branch Economics
political sciences:
5.5.4. International Relations
5.5.1. History and Theory of Politics
5.5.2. Political Institutions, Processes, Technologies

 

Current Issue
2024, vol. 68, No. 11
Topical Themes of the Issue:
  • U.S. Protectionism Against China’s Mercantilism  
  • U.S. Military Cooperation with Its Allies in Northeast Asia 
  • Russia Under the Conditions of Global Economy Regionalization
  • Greater Middle East
Announcement

Dear authors of the journal!

Please note that the author's copies of the issues in which your texts are published are kept in the editorial office for no more than one year. After this period expires, the editorial office has the right to dispose of unclaimed copies at its own discretion.

 

Submit an Article
INVITATION FOR PUBLICATION
The Editorial Board invites authors to write analytical articles on the following topics:
  • changes in the processes of globalization in modern conditions
  • formation of the new world order
  • shifts in civilization at the stage of transition to a digital society

The editors are also interested in publishing synthesis articles / scientific reviews revealing the main trends in the development of certain regions of the world - Latin America, Africa, South Asia, etc.