IR 002: Lecture 24

Question 1

What was Chinas as past like before 1949?

Answer 1

• The world’s oldest civilization
• Silk Road trade routes
• Naval expeditions across Asia/Africa in the 15th century
• Tribute System (no colonialism or invasions)

Question 2

What was responsible for the decline of China?

Answer 2

Century of Humiliation by the Europeans, US, Russia, and Japan

Question 3

When was the Peoples Republic of China created?

Answer 3

October of 1949

Question 4

What was the US response to Maos Communist China from 1949-1971?

Answer 4

• US/ European Embargo
• US military alliances to contain China in Asia

Question 5

What year did the US begin opening to China?

Answer 5

1972 with Nixons trip to Beijing to meet Mao

Question 6

What was the rational of the US engagement policy?

Answer 6

• China would help contain the Soviet Union
• China could boost the US economy
• Encourage democracy

Question 7

What main changes did Deng Xiaoping make as the leader of China?

Answer 7

• Opened Chinas economy to the world
• “Hide and bide your time” (strategic patience)

Question 8

What were the two major setbacks in the US-China relationship?

Answer 8

1) Tiananmen Massacre (1989):
- The IS realized China might not democratize
2) End of the Cold War (1989-1991):
- The US and China no longer had a common enemy

Question 9

How did Clinton deal with the US-China relations?

Answer 9

• Supported China’s integration into the US-led world order (WTO and growth with economic ties)
• Prepared for a potential degradation of the relationship

Question 10

How did Bush deal with the US-China relations?

Answer 10

• Declared China as a strategic competitor
• US-India rapprochement
• Global War on Terror diverted the US attention
• Financial crisis weakened the US

Question 11

How did Jiang Zemin an Hu Jintao lead China from 1989 to 2012?

Answer 11

• Continued accumulating power (x12GDP)
• Increased military budget (x10)
• continued to grow within the US-led order
  -China became more assertive due to growth in economic and military power

Question 12

How did Bush deal with the US-China relations?

Answer 12

• Growing concerns about China’s rise
• Relative decline of the US
• Bolstered regional alliances and partnerships (Japan and Australia)
• Deployed more resources to the region
• Signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Question 13

What was the Trans-Pacific Partnership?

Answer 13

Agreement with many Asian countries to blunt Chinas economic appeal

Question 14

How has Xi Jingping led China since 2012?

Answer 14

• Assertive leadership
• The Chinese dream and national power buildup
• Authoritarian offensive (mass surveillance/ repression at home)
• Rapprochement with Russia
• Technological progress
• Belt and Road Initiative (plan to make other countries dependent on China)

Question 15

How did Trump deal with the US-China relations?

Answer 15

• Indo-Pacific strategy (secured partnership with India, Japan, and Australia)
• Trade war against China (failed)
• Criticism of China’s Human Rights violations
  -US Blamed China for the pandemic

Question 16

How has Biden delt with the US-China relations?

Answer 16

• Endorsed Trump’s economic policies
• Revived the liberal international order (rekindled US alliances)
• Strengthened the consensus on China in US domestic politics
• Denounced China’s ambiguity on the Ukraine war
• Growing risk of war over Taiwan