Why the “Thucydides Trap” is not inevitable for China and America – Dainik Savera Times

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently met with representatives of American businesses and academic groups in Beijing, which received considerable attention around the world. It was the first time President Xi spoke face-to-face with US representatives since the top leaders of China and the US met in San Francisco in November 2023.

President Xi Jinping stressed how important it is to maintain and improve China-US relations. Meanwhile, US representatives said they do not think the “Thucydides trap” is something that should happen.

At the meeting, President Xi introduced the development status of the Chinese economy and welcomed American companies to continue investing and growing in China. Many American industrialists at the meeting noted the benefits from cooperation between China and the US regarding economy and trade.

President Xi said he plans to increase more investment in China and work on new projects. The success of how China and the US work together in economy and trade has been proven by facts and numbers.

Since China and the US began working together, their trade has increased more than 200 times, with trade volume reaching 47 trillion Chinese yuan. Now, more than 70,000 American companies are investing in China, boosting China’s economy and creating jobs in America.

One of the Americans at the meeting, Dean Ellison, who founded Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, came up with the idea of ​​the “Thucydides Trap.” Recently, the US views China as its main rival, so many experts are concerned about where China-US relations are headed and they talk about this “Thucydides Trap”.

But during this meeting, Allison said that the trap is not something that has to happen. This shows that people working in business and education in America understand the situation in China.

President Xi emphasized three things to improve China-US relations: respecting each other, living together peacefully, and working together for the benefit of all. Even though China and the US have faced some difficult times, if they continue to respect each other and work together, things can get better. The friendship between China and America has been good for both sides. This year marks 45 years since China and the United States began working together, and they have even more similarities.

Allison thinks President Xi’s three ideas are really important for improving China-US relations. He hopes that US leaders will understand that the “Thucydides Trap” should not happen and that China-US relations can improve.

Working together and benefiting each other is what drives China-US relations forward. Even though there are challenges, if both sides continue to respect each other and work together, things can get better for China and the United States.

(Courtesy-China Media Group, Beijing)