China eyes India-US relations, Dragon seeks cooperation from Washington!

Amid signs of softening in relations between America and India, China has appealed to Washington to increase cooperation. Just a day earlier, Beijing had accused America of misrepresenting China’s defense policy on a recent Pentagon report.

In this sequence, an article published in China’s government-controlled news portal People’s Daily Online has emphasized the importance of cooperation in US-China bilateral relations, especially in the economic and trade fields.

The article said, “International relations have never been completely smooth. It requires intelligence and responsibility to maintain direction and manage the overall situation in turbulent circumstances.”

It further said, “Looking at history, the lessons are clear. In the interest of shared responsibility and the future, China and the United States should and can do so.”

Describing this year as “the 80th anniversary of victory in the World Anti-Fascist War,” the article said that at that time, China and the United States had fought side by side and made important contributions to peace, justice, and the protection of human civilization.

Earlier in the year, US-China trade tensions escalated when President Donald Trump’s administration reimposed and increased tariffs on Chinese imports, citing trade imbalance, fentanyl trafficking and national security issues related to technology transfer. In response, China imposed retaliatory tariffs on major export goods, including American agricultural products, industrial machinery, and rare minerals.

Several rounds of talks were held as part of diplomatic efforts amid barriers to global trade and economic uncertainty. Last month, there was some reduction in tension due to the meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. However, no comprehensive formal trade agreement was reached.

Referring to this meeting, the article said that “top leadership diplomacy between China and the United States serves as a strong foundation for determining the direction of bilateral relations.”

It is noteworthy that on Thursday, China had strongly criticized the Pentagon’s report, saying that it distorts China’s defense policies and America should avoid interfering in China’s diplomatic relations with other countries.

The US Defense Department report said that despite diplomatic efforts between India and China, China continues to prepare for a possible military confrontation with India on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The report advised caution despite the agreement to disengage from the remaining tension points on the LAC in October 2024.

Meanwhile, New Delhi has recently raised the issue of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh being allegedly detained at Shanghai airport and harassed over her birthplace.

China is also wary of the US’s record arms sales to Taiwan and the US National Security Strategy (NSS) document, which calls for coordination with allies and partners to “prevent the dominance of any single competing state.”