权力转移、地位焦虑与中美战略竞争新态势 / Power Transition, Status Anxiety, and New Trends of Strategic Competition between China and the US

Abstract

Since the end of World War II, the US has become the superpower after having overcome security and economic challenges from the Soviet Union and Japan. It has been able to maintain this unique status for decades. However, in recent years, with the rapid growth of China and its vigorous promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative, America’s pre-eminent status is facing an unprecedented challenge. As the economic gap between China and the US gets smaller, the possibility of power transition is emerging. This change of power status leads to a deep “status anxiety” in
the US. In fact, this anxiety is evident in both China and the US. However, as a hegemonic power, America’s status anxiety is stronger than that of the rising power. The US is feeling insecure, due to witnessing the fact that its pre-eminent position inthe economy, military, technology, and developmental model, as  well as other fields, are being replaced by other emerging powers. Because of the status change and status anxiety, competition has been stronger during the Trump administration and, as China is moving towards the center of the world stage, the Trump Administration identifies China as its “rival”, and adopts many measures to balance China. As a result, besides the competition in the traditional fields such as the economy, technology, security, etc., both China and the US are also engaging in intense competition in other areas, such as norms, conception, and their “circle of friends”. Despite the fact that China has no intention (nor capacity, either) to compete with or confront the US, when facing the overbearing challenges from the US, China should think about what it should do. This is also the most difficult diplomatic issue for China after its 40 years’ reform and opening-up.