Standing Firm

Is China really “the most serious long-term challenge to the international order” as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserts? Does competition remain the crux of the China-U.S. relationship? Is the U.S. trying to mobilize allies in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe to increase competition with China?

Blinken gave a speech on U.S. policy toward China at George Washington University on May 26, where he said “we are not looking for conflict or a new cold war. To the contrary, we’re determined to avoid both.” He added that Washington is ready to increase “direct communication with Beijing across a full range of issues.”

Nevertheless, Blinken also said “China is the only country with both the intent to reshape the international order and, increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to do it.” He continued that the U.S., in turn, would “shape the