Neither US Nor China Want New Cold War

AFP/GREG BAKER

This file photo taken on September 30, 2021 shows China's President Xi Jinping (C) arriving with Premier Li Keqiang (L) for a reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the eve of China's National Day. - Chinese President Xi Jinping, the uncontested leader of the world's most populous nation, heads a pivotal plenary of the ruling party's top figures from November 8, 2021 that will set the tone for his bid for long-term rule.

The stiff competition between the United States and China is continuing but both are of the same view that it should not turn into a new Cold War.

WELLINGTON, THURSDAY — The United States and China have shared the same view that their rivalry should not escalate into a new Cold War. For the Indo-Pacific countries, this commitment is important because the growing competition between the two superpowers mainly occurs in their regions.

“We should be forward-looking, move ahead and reject practices of discrimination and exclusion of others. Attempts to draw ideological lines or form small circles on geopolitical grounds are bound to fail. The Asia-Pacific region cannot and should not relapse into the confrontation and division of the Cold War era," Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a speech at a virtual meeting with Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) business leaders on Thursday (11/ 11/2021).

Xi highlighted the trend of protectionism amid the Covid-19 pandemic. He invited the members of APEC to leave that perspective. Xi also said that APEC should be broad-minded and forward looking.

Jiang Yuechun, director of development economics at the China Institute of International Studies, said Xi was targeting countries that were increasingly showing unilateralism and protectionism. Xi also targeted groups of countries with a Cold War mentality, he said.

“Groups with a Cold War mentality and violent rivalries are growing in the region. This development is not in the common interest of APEC members," he told the Global Times, a media outlet close to China.

AP/XINHUA/WANG YING

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, China's new Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang, second from left, arrives in the United States to assume office on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Qin outlined the challenges the two countries face in what has become an increasingly competitive and contentious relationship, while refraining from any criticism in short remarks after arriving to take up his new post.

Meanwhile, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, said there was a lot of discourse that the US-China stiff competition had the opportunity to turn into a new Cold War. "We have a choice not to go there," he said in a virtual public lecture organized by Lowy Institute Australia on Thursday (11/11).

US President Joe Biden, according to Sullivan, repeatedly emphasized that the US was not trying to create a new Cold War. "We are not looking for conflict. We seek effective competition with boundaries and risk-reducing measures to ensure there will be no conflict. On the other hand, we also want to cooperate with China on matters of mutual interest for our respective countries or the world," he said.

The US under Biden is ready to compete with China, from the economic to the technological fields. The US even said it would compete vigorously.

Therefore, the competition occurs. Difference is even called the essence of competition.

Sullivan also reiterated that China's system and interests were different from those of the US and its allies. Therefore, the competition occurs. Difference is even called the essence of competition. “However, there is no reason that the competition has to turn into a conflict or confrontation. We need to take care of this together responsibly," he said.

Cooperation

Xi told the APEC business leaders forum that China remained committed to cooperation that benefitted all parties. China was ready to continue to implement multilateralism and be active in global governance for the sake of economic openness, he said.

DEPARTEMEN LUAR NEGERI AS VIA AP

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, left, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi sit together in Tianjin, China, Monday, July 26, 2021. China came out swinging at high-level face-to-face talks with the United States on Monday, blaming the U.S. for a "stalemate" in bilateral relations and calling on America to change "its highly misguided mindset and dangerous policy."

The Chinese leader stressed that Asia Pacific needed to continue to push for trade and investment liberalization. The stability of the supply chain and industry must be further maintained. The region should encourage orderly flows of resources and investment to maintain economic recovery and achieve interconnected development.

XI promised that China's economy would be more open to the global economy. Beijing would reduce the negative investment list and ease restrictions imposed on foreign investors to invest in a more diverse sector in China.

In September 2021, China formally applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade agreement. China also has also joined another regional economic cooperation through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which includes ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan.

Both Xi and Sullivan said the Indo-Pacific was increasingly important. Various parties outside the region have also shown their interest to be involved in the region which is part of APEC. The European Union and a number of its members, for example, have published Asia Pacific policy guidelines. A number of other countries have also indicated their interest.

Meanwhile, during a virtual meeting with the APEC business leaders in the evening session held at the State Palace in Jakarta, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo raised, among other things, the Indonesian government's policies on climate change. According to the President, efforts to address the impact of climate change within the framework of sustainable development must be carried out in balance with the social and economic development of the community so that the target of sustainable development can be achieved.

The transition to a low-carbon economy must be carried out in a fair and collaborative manner.

"Conservation of forests and marine resources, as well as transformation towards new and renewable energy must improve the welfare of the lower classes. The transition to a low-carbon economy must be carried out in a fair and collaborative manner," said the President.

SPENCER PLATT/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

(FILES) In this file photo at the terminal that serves planes bound for China, people wear medical masks at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) out of concern over the Coronavirus on January 31, 2020 in New York City. - The United States on June 3, 2020 ordered the suspension of all flights by Chinese airlines into and out of the country after Beijing failed to allow American carriers to resume service to China. "US carriers have asked to resume passenger service, beginning June 1st. The Chinese government's failure to approve their requests is a violation of our Air Transport Agreement," the US Transportation Department said in a statement. The suspension order takes effect June 16, but could be implemented sooner if President Donald Trump orders it to be.

According to the President, funding support and transfer of environmentally friendly technology are needed to support various climate change mitigation efforts in developing countries. Indonesia has listed sustainable and green industrial investment as a priority. The priority projects include the development of green industrial areas, the development of supply chains for the battery and electric car industries, as well as carbon trade, which are of great potential. (AFP/REUTERS/ RAZ/INA)

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi).