Former U.S. ambassador J. Stapleton Roy: Why the U.S. cannot start a Cold War with China:
- Unlike the Soviet Union’s economic disadvantage to the U.S., China’s economy has the potential to surpass the U.S.
- Unlike the Soviet Union’s high military budget and low living standards, China’s military modernization does not come at the expense of livelihood. China’s growth delivered better living standards.
- Unlike the Soviet Union’s selling arms and ideology, China is an economic engine to global growth, which makes U.S. allies economically unwilling to choose the U.S. over China.
- Unlike with the Soviet Union, U.S. economy has been interconnected with China. Decoupling will hurt the interests of both.
- Unlike Cuba missile crisis, Taiwan is closer to the Chinese army than to the U.S. And Unlike Berlin crisis, Taiwan is a territorial issue which China is more determined to defend.
Author: Saikat Bhattacharya
