U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-China relations have developed steadily since President Nixon's groundbreaking visit to China over forty years ago, and are generally stable today. Yet the next U.S. President will face both challenges and opportunities with Beijing. Recent indications are that bilateral cooperation on North Korea's nuclear threat can become a positive, while tensions in the South China Sea are less promising. Perceived Chinese cyberspying, Taiwan and economic frictions will all need to be handled carefully. The next American leader will want to continue the constructive engagement that has characterized past bilateral ties, while speaking out frankly when the two sides differ, as on human rights. Experience has shown that Beijing and Washington can manage their differences and highlight commonalities in what many see as the single most important bilateral relationship in the world today.