China-US relationship and cooperative coexistence

The concept of cooperative coexistence is distinct from peaceful coexistence. Peaceful coexistence emphasises importance of establishing mutually beneficial boundaries and ensuring non-interference. In contrast, cooperative coexistence goes a step further, advocating countries can create new development opportunities and pave the way for a more prosperous and peaceful world by working together and learning from each other. It assists in charting a way for the mutually beneficial modernisation of humanity.

There are three parameters of cooperative coexistence with sub-parameters: first, respect; 1) ideology, 2) sovereignty, 3) governance system, 4) democracy; second, promote; 1) win-win cooperation, 2) mutual learning, 3) dialogue; and third, do not, 1) interfere, and 2) lecture. This distinction makes cooperative coexistence a powerful idea for leading the world.

Let’s try to understand the difference from an example. Before 1970s, except for the Korean War, the US and China coexisted without significant conflicts. The US remains critical of China, its progress and its performance. Sometimes, the US was also hostile towards China and ran propaganda campaigns. China also reciprocated the actions by presenting its ideology and point of view. Chairman Mao devised a theory of the Three Worlds. Therefore, we cannot classify it as entirely peaceful coexistence but coexistence with some aspects of peaceful coexistence.

However, the dynamics started to change in the late 1960s. The US and West realised a need to establish linkages with China. The US concluded, no doubt, the West was growing economically under the auspices of the US, it could not exploit the full potential of opportunities by ignoring China. It was understandable by ignoring the biggest market in the world, the world could not fully realise its potential for economic development. The US requested Pakistan to help them establish a diplomatic relationship with China. On the other hand, China also realised without building a more comprehensive relationship with the West, it would be difficult to establish a modern socialist country.

Therefore, both agreed on a new beginning based on the philosophy of cooperative coexistence. The adaptation of a cooperative coexistence approach between China and the US was a pivotal moment in global economic development. It ushered in a new era of economic opportunities, market expansion and globalisation. This was mainly due to proactive steps taken by China and the US. China started to reform and open its economy and market to the US and Western countries, while the Western countries reciprocated by opening their markets to China. The process was further accelerated after China’s joining the World Trade Organisation.

The global GDP and per capita GDP started to expand. According to the World Bank data, GDP grew from $3.83 trillion in 1972 to $105 trillion in 2023. On the other hand, per capita GDP increased from $997.1 to $13138 in 2023. Now, not only China and the US, the world is also enjoying the dividend of cooperative coexistence.

Unfortunately, some forces are trying to reverse the process. Can the world afford reversal? No. This answer is based on three primary reasons, which are discussed below.First, the world is experiencing multifaceted problems, including poverty, food insecurity, financial crisis and existential threat of climate change. The World Bank estimates show the world is home to 712 million poor people, and there is a danger poverty will increase in the coming days due to conflicts, economic crises and climate change impacts. World Food Programme indicated food insecurity has started to rise again.

According to the latest report, 3.1 billion people could not afford healthy food and 2.4 billion experienced moderate to severe food insecurity (900 million faced the worst). The worst part of the problem is that 691 to 783 million people had to face hunger in 2022. In addition, almost 675 million people do not have access to electricity. There are 2 billion people who cannot access safe drinking water. Unesco indicated the number of out-of-school children increased by 6 million in 2023, and now, 250 million are out of school. On top of everything, climate change is threatening the very existence of planet Earth.

These challenges have already weakened the global system. This is a concerning trend, especially in the 21st century, which has introduced new challenges to humanity: technological advancement, climate change and the threats of pandemics. The urgency of maintaining cooperative coexistence is clear in the face of these complex and interrelated challenges.

Second, before 1970s, globalisation was in its initial stages, and the world was not connected much. Today, it is highly interconnected, and we live in a global village. Global value and supply chains are major economic growth and trade drivers. No country has absolute control over the supply chains and all the resources to produce products.

Let’s try to understand this from the examples of semi-conductors and CHIPS. The US and the West dominate and have an edge in designing CHIPS, semiconductors, and manufacturing equipment for these. China has vital resources to make CHIPS or semiconductors, the rare earth metals. The data shows China owns 34pc (44 million metric tons) of the rear earth metal reserves. It’s share of the global mining of rare earth metals is 60pc. China has the most modern facilities to produce CHIPS and semiconductors. China accounts for 85pc of processing capacity and over 90pc of high-strength rare earth permanent magnets manufactured.

On the other hand, world trade depends on smooth functioning of global value and supply chains. OCED indicated 70pc of world trade is done through these chains. Any disruption in supply chains can jolt the world economy. For example, Covid-19 disrupted the supply chain, which impacted global GDP, growth and investment. According to the World Bank, the global GDP fell from $87.95 trillion to $85.58 trillion. Foreign direct investment was less than $1 trillion in 2020.

Third, we are witnessing unprecedented technological advancement. We live in an era of artificial intelligence, highly connected cyberspace and hyper-digital connectivity. This has given birth to new types of crimes and challenges. Organised crime has become more sophisticated, innovative and broader in its reach. Now criminals can steal banking data by sitting in a far-off country. The killer can hack the computer system of auto-driven vehicles and can do anything with passengers.

Moreover, all technological advancements in the past assisted humans in enhancing productivity, but never posed any direct competition. However, with the invention of artificial intelligence, humans face direct competition from technology for the first time.

Any attempt to reverse the process of cooperative coexistence will badly hurt the world. China and the US must adhere to the philosophy and practices of cooperative coexistence, as major powers it is their responsibility. President Xi said, “China-US should be responsible for history, for the people and world, and should be a source of stability for world peace and propeller for common development”.Therefore, both countries must make all efforts to sustain the existing model of cooperative coexistence. Reversing this model would be an invitation to the rule of destruction.