Few changes expected in US-China relations - William Overholt

China Speakers Bureau

China is getting ready for a new leadership, but William Overholt, senior research fellow at Harvard`s Kennedy School of Government, is not expecting many changes in the relation between China and the US, he tells the Dong-A Ilbo. 

The Dong-A Ilbo:

Asked if a policy shift is expected as both China and the U.S. had changes in leadership last month,” Overholt said, “There will be no significant change in policy not only in the U.S. but also in China,” adding, “The new Chinese leadership hopes to ease tension vis-à-vis the U.S., but has failed to reach consensus in methodology. Before we hear about their decision, we cannot make specific predictions on anything.” 

“As both countries will seek economic recovery, economic tension will ease,” he said, adding, “If President Xi steps up economic reform, he will put more emphasis on domestic consumption than exports, which will ease bilateral conflict including imbalances in the foreign exchange rate and trade.” 

On China’s terrestrial disputes with neighboring countries, including Japan and the Philippines, he said, “The development of the Internet has made it difficult for leaders to forge rational compromises on sensitive territorial issues. In fact, the dispute over the Senkaku Islands (called Diaoyu in China) can be considered a situation where Japan mistakenly caused trouble for no reason. China has responded overly emotionally, and has instead earned an aggressive image. The new leadership needs to make a strategic move to lessen China’s hardline stance.”

More in the Dong-A Ilbo.

William Overholt is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form. 

 The China Weekly Hangout discussed on November 1 the US-China relations with Greg Anderson, Janet Carmosky and Fons Tuinstra.

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