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Description

This Strategic Forum examines the role of engagement in U.S. policy toward China and argues for a more realistic approach grounded in China’s long-term strategic objectives. It highlights Beijing’s ambition to emerge as a dominant regional power while avoiding direct confrontation and costly arms races. The paper cautions against assumptions that U.S. engagement alone can significantly reshape China’s political or strategic trajectory. Instead, it advocates a balanced strategy that combines continued engagement with prudent hedging to protect U.S. interests. The analysis emphasizes the need to align expectations with achievable outcomes, recognizing both the opportunities and limits of cooperation. Ultimately, it concludes that realistic engagement, tempered by strategic competition, is essential to managing the evolving U.S.-China relationship and maintaining regional stability.

Document Type

Policy Brief

Region(s)

United States, China, East Asia

Topic(s)

Strategic Competition, National Security, Defense Policy

Publication Date

9-2001

Publication

Strategic Forum

Publisher

National Defense University Press

City

Washington, DC

Keywords

U.S.-China relations, China strategy, strategic engagement, engagement with China, strategic competition, China foreign policy, U.S. foreign policy, policy realism

China: Making the Case for Realistic Engagement

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