Updating an Outdated Mindset
Young people can take on a significant role in shaping China-U.S. ties
The last several years have marked difficult times in Sino-American relations; it’s been a period of disappointment. For people of Chinese descent residing in the U.S., it’s also been a time of withdrawal. Derogatory political narratives have become the norm, intersecting with unfounded allegations of human rights abuses which directly correlate, ironically, with spikes in anti-Asian racist occurrences and the demonization of China in popular thought.
The idea that China is somehow responsible for America’s decline and, more broadly, some form of human regression globally, is one of the few things many Americans can agree on—including many Gen Zs. Consequently, it often seems that if you’re Asian in the U.S. right now and not Chinese, then one of the first things you want to tell people is you’re not Chinese. And if you are, you almost want to make some declaration of loyalty to the U.S. or, more often, simply stick close to old friends and keep quiet.
Out with the old
The strange thing happening in the U.S. is the apparent disconnect between what is clearly observed yet vehemently denied. It is, for example, very clear to many that both China and Chinese people in the U.S. are performing well. In fact, while resentment toward Asian performance is nothing new, it’s usually eclipsed by much worse discriminatory practices toward African Americans, Latinx and first peoples. Nevertheless, old stereotypes about Asians that were once tired jokes today bear a slightly more disgruntled undertone.
Stereotypes aside, in the U.S. many Asian and Chinese people are morally upright and hardworking, with high achievements in many fields. Yet other stereotypes also persist: Asians are like robots, incapable of innovation and advanced artistic expression, unable to think critically or freely, and so on. Consequently, it’s unsurprising to find that these biases have their obvious parallels in American perceptions of China with clear implications for bilateral relationship. On the one hand, many Americans fear China’s rise and relative success. On the other, they dismiss the country as the fruits of deception, spying, or exploiting American ingenuity and generosity.
Perhaps there’s an inherent human weakness to view others with contempt, particularly when they succeed, and more so when you fail. And without question, there is a pervasive sense of national failure in the U.S. right now, one that preceded the pandemic and has grown exponentially since. This was always the subtext of Donald Trump’s “Make American Great Again” slogan, which in fact acknowledged the U.S. was no longer great. This was always the context of his anti-China policies, producing the trade war and, by some estimates, a new Cold War mindset—both of which have been extended by his successor, Joe Biden.
Biden and Trump came of age in the Cold War era, and their world views are inextricably linked to such zero-sum thinking. But how long can that type of outdated thinking persist in this new era, particularly when it’s so out of step with reality, so incompatible with the necessity of working together to address existential problems like the pandemic and climate change? And what might we expect from young people, who are usually less burdened by old ideas and more open to their updated versions—and change? How might they chart a new course in Sino-American relations, and how might this be encouraged?
In many respects, young Chinese and Americans have much in common. They have grown up in fast food and fast fashion cultures, with overlapping interests in media and digital culture. They consume
many of the same products, they enjoy many of the same songs and films, and increasingly they play the same online games. They tend to be more open-minded about different identities, body types, races and sexual orientations.
Both the U.S. and China are sophisticated markets in the global vanguard, and whatever their challenges, the young in both countries enjoy a sense of national pride—if not destiny. But they also face the costs of standing at the forefront: measures of global and mutual dislike, if not envy, as well as the negative side effects associated with consumer culture, which too often pairs overwork with overspending, both necessitated in part by high costs of living. They also share deep concerns for the future, including similar worries about global warming and other problems. They have both been tremendously impacted by the lingering pandemic.
Young exchange
We’re living in a new era, and it’s reasonable to envision the young of both countries increasingly breaking with the past, discovering their common ground, and moving forward together. Yet if political relations increasingly worsen, alongside global issues, it’s possible the young in both countries will be engulfed by a sense of rising nationalism given amplified competition to survive. What this suggests is that bringing young people together from both nations, demonstrating common ground and the importance of a shared future, is something that must be actively encouraged and not just hoped for.
What we require now more than ever are more cultural and educational exchanges. While it’s polite to say we need them coming and going, what we actually need most is more young Americans coming to China. For decades, millions of Chinese have visited the U.S., many for study and work opportunities, eager to learn. While many Americans came to China for similar reasons, in both absolute and proportional terms their numbers were much lower. Now, with pandemic travel restrictions following the forced closures of Confucius Institutes and other efforts to promote linguistic and cultural understanding, young Americans are becoming increasingly estranged from China and susceptible to toxic discourses about the country.
We cannot expect current American leaders to promote better ties or exchanges. They seem wedded to a dim future because they are stuck in a dark past. It’s also unlikely that young Chinese will again return in droves to U.S. universities after America’s mismanagement of the pandemic.
Nevertheless, there are many things that China can do to attract young Americans and foster a new generation of positive relations. In short, there was a time when people came primarily to the U.S. because it was most advanced, but we are reaching a point where we should expect and encourage them to come primarily to China as the latter continuously forges ahead. Not only would this reduce global estrangement and improve China’s image, it would also be helpful for those who are struggling overseas, including Americans.
For example, many young Americans know their country is experiencing profound difficulties and they would like to learn about new ways to move forward. They are concerned about environmental degradation, peace and social justice. In the U.S., they can observe growing inequality, poverty and social instability, as well as public health failures, and are often victimized by said factors. These are areas where China has scored points in recent years, and there is a stated desire in Beijing to share its knowhow with others. Not only would doing so run contrary to trenchant American claims that China steals all its best ideas from the U.S., but it would also offer golden opportunities to establish new exchange programs, including formal degree programs, that focus on Chinese innovations in green development, poverty alleviation and the pursuit of peace and prosperity for all.
China-U.S. cooperation on climate change at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) last year offers a positive starting point. Admittedly, I am writing here from the perspective of self-interest; but I believe these types of programs would attract many of my American peers who are progressively disaffected with outdated concepts and more than willing to consider their updated options as they seek a brighter future.
The author is a first-year university student in the U.S. Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon Comments to zhaowei@cicgamericas.com