Expect ‘deep structural change’ in ties between China and US, senior adviser says
State media commentary calling for ‘strategic confidence’ to deal with trade war pressure a clear sign Beijing expects fight to intensify, according to analysts
A senior Chinese government adviser says he expects “deep structural change” in the relationship between the world’s two largest economies after the trade war, with the US treating China as a key rival.
Long Guoqiang, vice-president of the State Council’s Development Research Centre, also called for “strategic confidence” and “strategic patience” in China in the face of mounting pressure from tariffs and other punitive trade measures imposed by Washington.
The senior adviser made the remarks in a commentary on Wednesday in People’s Daily, mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party.
“The trade war is not just a measure for the US to gain more economic benefits, it is also an important strategy to contain China,” Long said in the commentary.
“With the US labelling China as a strategic rival, Sino-US relations will experience a deep structural change,” he said. “As two major powers, it is normal for China and the US to engage in both cooperation and competition … We should abandon our illusions in facing the [trade] war, while at the same time remain rational and work hard to maintain overall stability.”
Long also said China’s ability to properly handle the trade war was linked to its future development and reform, and called for strategic confidence, determination and patience to ride out the conflict.