Can US coexist with a rising PRC?

By Frank Ching September 25, 2013

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, spoke about a new model of Sino-American relations featuring “no conflict or confrontation” and “mutual respect,” which is to be achieved through “win-win cooperation.”   Sounds good in theory, but will it fly?

Historians, the Chinese official said, have identified about 15 cases of rising emerging powers and, in 11 of those instances, “confrontation and war broke out between the emerging and the established powers.”  What is important is to avoid war between the U.S. and China.

According to Mr. Wang, the “new model of major-country relations” can only be achieved through “win-win cooperation.” This, clearly, won't be easy.  One test is coming up. The U.S., France and the United Kingdom want a Security Council resolution directing Syria to rid itself of its chemical weapons and providing for sanctions if it fails to do so.

Russia, which had reached an agreement in principle with the U.S., is opposed to sanctioning Syria if it fails to surrender its arsenal of chemical weapons, as it has promised to do……To Read More…..