Sino-US relations survey

Are they strategic partners or archrivals?

How Chinese view the United States? How they regard Americans and the Sino-US relations? What views Americans hold of China, the Chinese and the Sino-US relations? These are questions of paramount concern to the diplomatic and academic circles in China and the US. Much press coverage has been devoted to the views over this, but stops short of addressing the substantial concerns.

In the run-up to the U.S. President Barack Obama kicking off his debut trip to China, People’s Daily Online is conducting a survey to attract the public opinions on Sino-U.S. relations, as people-to-people communication is seen as a dynamic channel to bettering the interstate relationships, and therefore the public opinions from both sides should be taken into account now that the giant powers both agree on pursuing cooperation and collaboration and shunning confrontation and conflict.

Please contribute your opinions by simply covering the “true” or “false” questionnaire. Your opinions will be highly valued and appreciated in this space.

1. At the beginning of 20th century, the world chessboard was dominated by the Great Britain and the nascent power United States. Now the sun- setting British power has given way to the U.S., and China has become more assertive as an emerging power. So today it is China¡¯s turn to compete with the declining U.S. 1) True 2) False

2. China¡¯s economic growth rate has gone on steadily to overtake the U.S. with its 3rd quarter this year seeing a rise of 8.9%, compared with 3.5% of the U.S. This indicates China¡¯s economic leverage has been constantly enhanced and could push the U.S. aside someday. 1) True 2) False

3. China¡¯s total economic volume ranks No.3 world wide, but many observers believe that it will soon overpass Japan, world¡¯s 2nd economy, and would be ahead of the U.S. by 2025. China¡¯s total economic volume by 2050 could be 130% of the U.S. 1) True 2) False

4. China will invest more than ever in the development of its cyber spying and the liked Internet technology in order to gain a grip over the global economy. 1) True 2) False

5. With its burgeoning national strength and confidence, China will possibly settle the legacies left over by history in a more forceful and more resolute way. Legacies such as China-India border disputes, and the South China Sea sovereignty disputes would all be settled in a way acceptable to China. 1) True 2) False

6. Inexpensive China-made products have taken the complete possession of American and European markets, delivering a harsh blow to the local manufacturers, and forcing those Western countries to set up trade barriers and even introduce trade protectionism. 1) True 2) False

7. China has now grown up into a key player on the world stage with its ever-enlarging political and economic clout. It will play a direct and active part in handling international issues like the nuclear disarmament in North Korea and Iran. 1) True 2) False

8. China and U.S. are both largest carbon emitters, and should thereby assume their corresponding responsibilities in the combat against climate change. 1) True 2) False

9. China has been all these years modernizing its military facilities and forces, and improving its missile offensive capabilities both in the air and over the sea in the meantime. China will evolve into a military counterweight to the U.S. in the foreseeable future. 1) True 2) False

10. China will lead the Asia-pacific region in the coming years by opening multi-channels for dialogue, deepening multi-lateral cooperation and engaging more than ever in the regional organizations and affairs. The traditional American privilege over the Asia-Pacific region will be challenged, and the U.S. will recede from its Asian establishments. 1) True 2) False