THE FUTURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE US AND CHINA

ABSTRACT The most significant bilateral relations in the international system is that of the relations between the US and China. This is not only premised on the significant economic clout of both countries, but also on the enormous magnitude of arsenals accumulated by these two powers. The increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of the world have made it impossible for economic ,security and humanitarian issues in one country to be contained within the borders of that country without it being felt elsewhere .The US strategic shift towards the Asia Pacific region which many experts view within the context of trying to contain the rising power of China and its resultant aggressive behavior and assertive territorial claims in the Asia Pacific region therefore raise serious global security concerns. As a result of the enormous capacities of both states, an improvement in relations between them could have enormous impacts on the whole wide world. On the other hand, should relations between them deteriorates it could have far reaching devastating consequences on the international system. This has made it very necessary for the relations between the two powers to be carefully studied. The future relations between the pair would likely be marked by conflict and cooperation. This is backed by the numerous territorial disputes in the region involving the US, China and her regional neighbors .Equally important is China’s demand on global resources and her widely perceived unfair trade practices. Nevertheless the likelihood that the pair would be united by common interests and likewise common dangers is incredibly high.