Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
Samantha Cooper
The global order is witnessing a revival of great power competition in the twenty-first century, with China and the United States emerging as the main players. This change represents the shift from the US-dominated post-Cold War era of unipolarity to a more complicated and contentious international system. The competition between the United States and China has global ramifications for security, diplomacy, and economics. These two superpowers are engaged in a complex rivalry that has ideological, technological, military, and economic facets. The stability of the international order is being put to the test by this competition, which also raises important concerns about the future of world peace and governance.
The most obvious facet of their rivalry is arguably the economic one: the United States and China are competitors. China’s economy has grown at an unprecedented rate since the late 20th century, when it underwent economic reforms that turned it from a developing country into the second-biggest economy in the world. By 2020, China had overtaken the U.S. as the largest trading nation and is projected to surpass the U.S. in terms of nominal GDP in the near future. China’s rapid industrialization and modernization have shifted global trade patterns, leading to the emergence of new economic power dynamics.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a massive infrastructure and investment initiative spanning multiple continents, is at the centre of this economic struggle. The goal of the 2013-launched Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is to improve connectivity and collaboration between China and nations in Asia, Africa, Europe, and beyond. Through the effort, China has been able to secure trade channels, build infrastructure, and extend its economic influence. Many observers see the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a tactical instrument to increase China’s geopolitical influence, especially in previously Western-dominated countries like Southeast Asia and Africa. As a result, the United States has voiced worries about the debt dependency brought about by Chinese loans and has worked to offset the BRI by promoting transparent infrastructure investment through programs like the Blue Dot Network.
But trade and infrastructure are just two aspects of the U.S. and China’s economic rivalry. New ground in their competition has been reached by technology. China is advancing faster than expected in areas like artificial intelligence, 5G technology, and quantum computing. This has officials in Washington concerned that China would gain a huge edge in both the civilian and military sectors from its technological dominance. In response, the United States has placed restrictions on Chinese technology companies, including Huawei, preventing them from using American technology and markets due to national security concerns. As both countries look to lessen their dependency on one another’s supply chains, these restrictions have spurred a further decoupling between the tech sectors in the U.S. and China. As control over emerging technologies shapes future power dynamics, this technological competition is a microcosm of a larger battle for leadership in the digital age.
There is no greater example of the military component of the U.S.-China rivalry than in the South China Sea, where China has built artificial islands and stationed military forces to assert its territorial claims. This has raised tensions with neighbouring nations, including U.S. allies like Japan and the Philippines, and compelled the U.S. to conduct freedom of navigation operations in the area. China’s modernisation efforts, particularly its naval expansion, have been directed towards asserting control over the Asia-Pacific region, which has long been the focus of U.S. military presence in the region.
A larger example of this military competition can be seen in the Indo-Pacific area, where the United States has been fortifying alliances and partnerships with nations such as Australia, Japan, and India through programs like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. These actions are part of a larger U.S. strategy to counterbalance China’s influence in the region and maintain an open and free Indo-Pacific; however, China interprets these as an attempt to contain its rise and has responded by stepping up its military presence and forging new strategic alliances, including its growing relationship with Russia. As a result, the military competition between the United States and China runs the risk of turning the Indo-Pacific into a flashpoint for tensions throughout the world.
The U.S.-China rivalry is notable not just for its military and economic competition, but also for its ideological component. The United States has traditionally supported a liberal global order founded on free markets, democratic governance, and respect for human rights. China, on the other hand, provides an alternative form of authoritarian government paired with state-led economy. China has made an effort, especially in developing nations, to promote its political model as a competitive alternative to Western liberal democracy under President Xi Jinping. Following China’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic, which Beijing has presented as proof of the superiority of its governance structure, this ideological rivalry has intensified.
International institutions have witnessed the ideological struggle between the United States and China. China has been trying harder to influence global governance by claiming more authority over organisations like the World Health Organisation, the World Trade Organisation, and the United Nations, even though the United States was the main architect of the post-World War II liberal system. Washington is concerned that Beijing is attempting to change global governance in a way that supports authoritarian governments and threatens the liberal democratic system, as seen by Beijing’s increasing influence in these organisations.
The ongoing evolution of the U.S.-China rivalry presents serious challenges to global stability. Due to their mutual reliance on one another for investment and commerce, the two powers’ economic interdependence makes competition between them more difficult. The separation of their economies, particularly in the technology sector, risks undermining global supply chains and economic growth. Furthermore, the likelihood of an unintentional conflict is raised by the military build-up in the Indo-Pacific, especially in hotspots like Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Meanwhile, the rivalry between the United States and China over ideologies poses a threat to further polarise the international community, forcing many countries, especially those in the Global South, to navigate this rivalry by maintaining balance in their relations with both powers. This has resulted in an increasing trend of non-alignment, whereby nations attempt to remain neutral in the face of competition between the United States and China; however, as the rivalry heats up, nations may find it more difficult to remain neutral.
There are still chances for collaboration between the United States and China in spite of these obstacles. For instance, both countries have a shared goal in encouraging sustainable development and lowering global emissions in the context of climate change. The United States and China released a joint declaration on climate action in 2021, indicating that cooperation on global issues is still possible even in the face of competition. Similar to this, both nations have a stake in keeping the world financial system stable and limiting the spread of nuclear weapons—areas in which collaboration is still feasible.
In summary, one of the key characteristics of international relations in the twenty-first century is the resurgence of great power rivalry between the United States and China. Their rivalry has profound effects on the international order and shapes global governance, security, and economics. Even if there are many obstacles in this rivalry, there are also chances to work together to solve common global issues. The way both countries negotiate this intricate and changing dynamic—balancing cooperation and rivalry to maintain world peace and stability—will determine how the U.S.-China relationship develops in the future.
