Chimerica - the Complex Entanglement between Beijing and Washington
Rogier Creemers
Rogier Creemers is an Assistant Professor in the law and governance of China at Leiden University. With a background in Chinese studies, international politics and law, he mainly focuses on the Chinese government’s increasing use of technology in domestic governance processes, as well as China’s role in global cyberspace.
- Recording: Yes
- Language: English
- Duration: 45 min / 15 min
Session Summary
The relationship between China and the United States is, without doubt, the most important axis between two countries in today’s world. Yet that relationship is not going well: American enmity against China has grown over the years, fueled by allegations over cyber espionage, Chinese actions in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and the country’s rapidly growing military expansion. Beijing, for its part, sees the US as a global hegemon who will stop at nothing to derail China’s “great rejuvenation”, and to overthrow the Communist Party-led regime. In other words, in the Chinese view, the US is its prime strategic threat. Yet at the same time, both countries are deeply enmeshed in a globalised, profoundly intertwined economy which means they are highly interdependent. This session will discuss how we got to this point, where we are in the relationship today, and what can be expected of the future. We will discuss where the relationship might evolve from now, particularly with regard to contentious issues such as the status of Taiwan, the global digital landscape and the likelihood of a new Cold War starting.
Interaction
During the expert session, Rogier Creemers engages the audience through a mix of interactive exercises and Q&A using the Mentimeter app.
Key Learnings
- Historical Context: Understand the historical developments that have led to the current state of China-US relations.
- Contentious Issues: Analyze key contentious issues such as Taiwan, cyber espionage, and military expansion that exacerbate tensions.
- Future Trajectories: Explore potential future developments in the China-US relationship, including economic interdependence and the likelihood of a new Cold War.
Detailed session description
The relationship between China and the United States is undeniably the most crucial axis between two countries in today’s world, yet it is fraught with tension. American enmity toward China has grown over the years, driven by allegations of cyber espionage, actions in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and rapid military expansion. Beijing, on the other hand, views the US as a global hegemon intent on derailing China’s "great rejuvenation" and overthrowing the Communist Party-led regime, considering the US its prime strategic threat. Despite these adversarial perceptions, both nations are deeply intertwined in a globalized economy, making them highly interdependent.
This session will explore how the China-US relationship has reached its current state, examining the historical context, present dynamics, and potential future developments. We will delve into the contentious issues shaping the relationship today, including the status of Taiwan, the global digital landscape, and the prospect of a new Cold War. By understanding these factors, participants will gain a nuanced perspective on the complexities and potential trajectories of this pivotal international relationship.
Other Sessions by this Speaker
China and the Social Credit System
What are the consequences of China’s rapid growth in technology? Western news media are full of panic stories about Huawei, the social credit system, surveillance, artificial intelligence and big data, that China is supposed to use to build an Orwellian control society. This session examines whether this fear is justified, it explains the Chinese technology agenda, and shows what the impact will be on Europe.
Cybersecurity and Data Protection in China
In China as elsewhere in the world, cybersecurity and data protection have become major topics of concern as daily life continues to digitize. Over the past few years, the Chinese government has issued a series of new laws, regulations and policies to counter the risks resulting from advancing technological adoption. These are often both more interventionist and innovative than initiatives in other countries, and will likely have a significant impact on the future development of digital regulation around the globe. This lecture will review how the Chinese government looks at cybersecurity, the specific steps that they have taken and how they combine to create a new model for governing the digital realm.
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