National Interests and Power
The Importance of National Interests
Economic Relations between the United States and China
Conflict between the United States and China
National Interest vs Sovereignty
There are cases in which two country's national interests may conflict with each other. In these cases if the interest is of enough importance, one or both countries may try to interfere with the other's sovereignty. This may lead to the start of a armed conflict or war.
What does it mean for something to be of national interest?
National interests in terms of national security
National interests are the topics or problems facing a sovereign nation that are most important to it, the most important being VI's (vitals), and the less important being LTV's (less-than-vital). The importance of these topics against each other and how to handle them is usually a matter of debate within that nation, however it is usually pretty objective to say these national interests are of importance.
Many national interests that fall under the VI category are ones that pertain to national security, as these are the most important things to a sovereign nation to keep it safe. VI's are so important to nations that they may even be worth going to war over.
"Frenemies"
The relationship between the United States and China is a complicated one, as they are the two biggest superpower countries in the world. Because of this, having a good economic relationship between the two is mutually beneficial for both countries, and on this ground, they are friends. However, the two countries also have very opposing viewpoints, such as their differing government style and being on opposite sides of other countries conflicts. In this way, they are enemies.
Threat of Nuclear War
The top priority of any country, including the two most powerful ones, is survival, meaning that there is almost no chance of nuclear conflict between the superpowers as this would result in both of the nation's downfalls.
The Pacific Rim
China's Rise
Trade
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States was the only real major power in the world. However, over the years with much economic reform and many changes, China has risen even above the US in terms of GDP.
A major factor in pushing China ahead of the US was the creation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). These let Western entrepreneurs set up and run businesses, along with moving businesses and production to China where they could get cheaper labor and overall costs. This benefited them, while also letting the Chinese have access to Western funds and experience, making it mutually beneficial and making China a lot of money.
Since China has the largest GDP in the world and the United States trails right behind, it only makes sense these countries would be involved in a lot of trading and other economic relations. Ever since the first relations were opened between the US and the PRC regime in China back in 1972, hundreds of billions of dollars are traded between the countries every year.
North Korea
Taiwan
South China Sea
Lastly, the South China Sea is claimed by the Chinese government as part of China, including the oil found under it. However the sea is in international waters out of China's 12 mile claimable limit. Their claim to this area is not recognized by the US, and the two countries both fight over the petroleum.
Taiwan claims to be a separate country from China, run by a democracy, and is supported by the US, however China claims Taiwan to be a part of it and does not recognize it's independence.
The current geopolitical area that would most likely cause conflict between China and the US is the Pacific Rim, most importantly North Korea, Taiwan, and the South China Sea.
North Korea is important because China does not want to border a hostile country, and the threat of having a unified Korea that is allied with the US is a threat to China.