Most Americans, especially Republicans, see China as a threat. However, things are shifting. An April 4, 2017 Pew Research Center survey found 44% of Americans have a favorable opinion of China, up from 37% a year ago. By contrast 28% Americans in 2012 were concerned about China’s military strength; however, that rose to 36% in 2017. More than 50 percent of American's are concerned about debt held by China, cyber attacks, adverse environmental impact, loss of jobs to China. Other concerns rated at less than 50 percent are trade deficit, China's human rights policies, and finally territorial disputes including tension with Taiwan.
Meanwhile, China's moves to bolster economic ties to South Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, and other countries in east Asia undercut American influence in Asia.
America may have been a leader in the economic growth of countries around the world in the past. The US has leveraged its leadership to an economic trade advantage for good reason. Providing security for the world's maritime trade costs billions of dollars annually. Countries ranging from Sweden to Singapore benefit from the security that the United States provides. The economic burden to the United States in 2015 was $598 billion, which constituted about 54% of the United States' discretionary budget fiscal year 2015.
The American national political cycle hinges largely 4 year presidential elections. Chinese make plans on a much longer term of 20 years and reviewed and updated 5 year cycles. Asian countries in China's neighborhood have seen the global hegemony shift from Europe with Britain and France to the United States in the past hundred years.
The invasion of Taiwan has not logistically been a serious threat since June 1950 when Mao saw the North Koreans invade South Korea. In only days Mao began to shift hundreds of thousands of Chinese troops poised to invade Taiwan to Korea, believing the Americans would not hold at the 38 parallel. Since then, invasion of Taiwan has not logistically or economically made sense. Mainland China in several 20 year plans has begun to economically assimilate Taiwan.
Countries in the South China sea have asked for military assistance from the US to ward off Chinese encroachment. However, the United States has a global war on terrorism that requires the bulk of its operational forces to sustain. In the long term - especially the past 15 years, the cost to maintain a global counterterrorism presence has gutted the American military. The US needs relief, which allies in Europe cannot afford to fund.
Along with and within China's the "Belt and Road Initiative" or One Belt, One Road (OBOR), China is cutting trade deals including favorable tariffs and large industry segment purchases with countries around the South China Sea. The Chinese military is also interacting with the militaries of those countries, including providing disaster relief to the Philippines - traditionally a US role. These countries likely see China on the rise in the long run, and the United States going the way of Britain and France. China's neighbors are hedging their bets.
China does not have a free market economy like the rest of the world. As Deng Xiaoping said in the late 1980's, China has developed "capitalism with Chinese characteristics." In the same way, China will develop democracy with Chinese characteristics. The United States needs to be able to think and accept a different way of Chinese accomplishing similar out comes and not let the past be the only guide to predicting and preparing for the future.
References
Americans’ Views of China Improve as Economic Concerns Ease
http://www.pewglobal.org/2017/04/04/americans-views-of-china-improve-as-economic-concerns-ease/
Chinese goods to enjoy tariff exemptions in Vietnam
(Xinhua) 2016-11-02
http://m.chinadaily.com.cn/en/2016-11/02/content_27252048.htm
China remains biggest trade partner of Vietnam in January: Vietnamese customs
(Xinhua) 2017-02-14
http://m.chinadaily.com.cn/en/2017-02/14/content_28194696.htm
China becomes Vietnam's biggest catfish importer: Association
(Xinhua) 2017-05-09
http://m.chinadaily.com.cn/en/2017-05/09/content_29266544.htm
Number of Chinese visitors to rise in 1st four months: Vietnam tourism authority
(Xinhua) 2017-04-27
http://m.chinadaily.com.cn/en/2017-04/27/content_29113138.htm
Chinese naval fleet starts friendly visit to Vietnam
(Xinhua) 2017-05-06
http://m.chinadaily.com.cn/en/2017-05/06/content_29232787.htm
Chinese naval fleet wraps up visit to Philippines
(Xinhua) 2017-05-02
http://m.chinadaily.com.cn/en/2017-05/02/content_29173326.htm
Philippines open to joint war drills with China: Duterte
(Xinhua) 2017-05-01
http://m.chinadaily.com.cn/en/2017-05/01/content_29156203.htm
China Red Cross provides Philippine quake aid
By Mo Jingxi(chinadaily.com.cn) 2017-02-14 18:48:19
http://m.chinadaily.com.cn/en/2017-02/14/content_28198865
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