Trade war a blip on China’s radar of future
China traditionally considers diplomacy and internal affairs as inseparable and contributing equally to national governance. Accordingly, dealing with public opinion in the midst of the trade war is important for foreign relations and domestic affairs. As we rely on and gain confidence from the Chinese people, the trade war actually provides some opportunities for China to deftly play the cards in our hands.
Above all, an untrustworthy US allows us to build a China of honesty and faith. At the core of the ongoing trade war is the US that has disregarded existing international trade rules and even scrapped contracts or agreements to threaten China. For ordinary people, trade is a remote concept to be dealt with between countries or large companies and has little to do with their daily lives. They are more familiar with markets, commodity prices and stocks. But they can clearly see that the US has betrayed international norms. When China is pushing for integrity and promoting normative elements, the US has come to serve as a typical example of what it is like to go in the other direction.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. Generations of Chinese have developed China to what it is today. US actions have warned the Chinese public that it is not easy to achieve prosperity. It is not a bad thing that the trade skirmishes prompt the Chinese to ponder over the current situation in a rational and calm way.
Meanwhile, we need to use the trade war to win respect from the majority of the international community. The trade conflicts triggered by the US going back on its words have been under global spotlight, offering a good opportunity that we cannot afford to miss. A traditional Chinese saying goes, “A just cause enjoys abundant support while an unjust cause finds little.” China will eventually be the winner of the trade war, but we need to win it in a graceful manner. This will be helpful for China’s international influence. By dealing with challenges, Chinese society will become more cohesive. During China’s rise there will be more challenges than the trade war and more troublemakers other than the US. Chinese society has to learn to be composed and confident in the face of challenges. The public needs to unite against anyone who comes to create trouble for China. A commentary by Xuan Yan, which was published in the People’s Daily last week, said that come rain or shine, the striving of Chinese people for a better life is unstoppable. The US-launched trade war is just one of the growing pains of China, the largest developing country in the world. We have to squarely stand up to it.