China - U.S. Relation

What is the issue?

Relations between the world’s two biggest powers, the U.S. and China, have been in constraint over the past five years amid the trade war

What are the areas of conflict?

• Trade - US’s trade deficit with China and accusation of unfair subsidies  have constrained the relationship leading to trade war
• Technology - US has blacklisted seven Chinese supercomputer groups accusing them of aiding the China’s military
• Human rights - Issues of human rights violation by China in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan has been repeatedly highlighted by U.S.
• South China Sea - China’s aggressive policy over South China Sea is a huge challenge for both U.S. and other island nations
• Origin of COVID-19 – Accusations on China over the issues of origin of corona virus is still ongoing
• Cyber attack – U.S. along with EU accused Beijing of cyber attacks

What are the demands from Chinese side?

• Unconditionally revoke the visa restrictions on Communist Party members
• Withdraw an extradition request for Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of tech firm Huawei who is on trial in Canada
• Change the stance on COVID-19 inquiry

What are the recent developments in China - U.S. relation?

• U.S.  has called  for cooperation on climate change
• U.S. has sought Chinese cooperation in Afghanistan after its disastrous exit
• The recent 90-minute Xi-Biden telephonic conversation to mutually decide on areas of convergence and divergence
• There is a need for China and the U.S. to engage with each other without expecting quick results on all issues.

Source: The Hindu