SECOND TAKE
THE JAPAN TIMES: China seeks co-operation on its own terms
As the Biden administration settles in, China is repeating its wish to have a positive, co-operative relationship with the new team in Washington. Foreign affairs ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian lamented last week that “the Trump administration went in a very wrong direction” and warned that “co-operation is the only right choice”. That’s not quite right. Co-operation is preferred, but is only possible when there is mutual respect among parties and a shared understanding of the rules of engagement. Beijing shows neither.
Joe Biden’s return to the White House has prompted Chinese officials to dig out their old playbook. Zhao explained: “As two major countries, China and the US have broad common interests and shoulder special, major responsibilities in safeguarding world peace and stability and in promoting global development and prosperity.” That sounds a lot like the “new type of major country relations” Chinese leader Xi Jinping proposed to president Barack Obama in 2013......
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