Newsletter Fall 2024 The Center for Peace and Conflict Studies COVID-19 and U.S.-China Relations Dear Colleagues and Friends, As we enter the season of harvest, I am delighted to share that our collective efforts at the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies are now bearing fruit. It is my pleasure to announce the publication of COVID-19 and U.S.-China Relations—an in-depth assessment of the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the crucial bilateral relationship between the United States and China. This pioneering volume of analyses contains these key features: First book-length treatment on this topic Open Access: Freely accessible for anyone to read and download the entire book using this link : https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-54766-9 Bilateral Collaboration: Brings together leading scholars and rising stars from both countries to discuss critical topics, such as trade decoupling, nationalist sentiments, information warfare, and the rise of anti-Asian racism during the pandemic.
We are deeply grateful to all the contributors for their invaluable insights and dedication to this project. A special thanks as well to the editors at Palgrave Macmillan for their efforts in bringing this book to publication. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Henry Luce Foundation for their generous support, which made the open access to this publication possible, ensuring its findings are readily accessible to readers worldwide. Warm regards, Zheng Wang Director, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies |
|
|
The COVID-19 Chapter in U.S.-China Relations The COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented global crisis, claiming millions of lives and disrupting societies worldwide. Beyond the immediate public health crisis, the pandemic profoundly impacted international relations, particularly between the United States and China. COVID-19 and U.S.-China Relations explores these ramifications by offering a multi-dimensional assessment of the pandemic's impact on this pivotal relationship. |
|
|
Cover of COVID-19 and U.S.-China Relations, 2024 |
|
|
Post-disaster Impacts and Damages Assessment Travel restrictions, supply chain disruptions, and misinformation about the origin of the virus contributed to each country’s embrace of isolationism and to increased hostilities between the two. In the introduction, Professor Zheng Wang describes the pandemic's impact as a "war-like experience" between the two nations. He observes: "Although the confrontations between the United States and China during the pandemic were not of military nature, they mirrored a war-like scenario in terms of disruption, separation, fear, resentment, and the stimulation of nationalist and anti-foreigner sentiments akin to wartime." The metaphor of a war-like scenario underscores the severity of the pandemic, highlighting the urgent need for reflection and dialogue. As the first book-length treatment of this subject, it plumbs the depths and complexities of several critical themes: Trade and Supply Chains: COVID-19 exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, prompting a reevaluation of economic dependencies. The disruptions accelerated decoupling and realignment trends, significantly impacting global trade and economy.
Public Perceptions and Nationalism: The rise of disinformation and propaganda fueled nationalist sentiments and contributed to a troubling increase in anti-Asian racism, particularly in the United States. Contested narratives and mutual blame have deepened mistrust and enforced negative stereotypes.
|
|
|
Pathways to Reconciliation in the Post-COVID World The scope of this book isn’t limited to the damage done. It also explores potential avenues for a return to normalcy. In the Afterword, titled The Pathways to a U.S.-China Post-COVID-19 Reconciliation, thoughtful strategies to rebuild relationship and cooperation are proposed. Reflecting on the shared challenges of the pandemic is seen as a crucial step in restoring bilateral relations. Zheng Wang emphasizes: “If scholars from both nations fail to reflect objectively and comprehensively on this disaster and its devastating consequences, it is challenging to envision how the two countries can mend their wounds and rebuild relations and societies in the post-COVID era. We—the editor and authors of this book—humbly offer it as a tangible starting point in this vitally important reflective undertaking.” The Process of Writing This book project has been significantly informed by a track two online dialogue project titled "Luce Dialogue on U.S.-China Relations During and After the Pandemic," funded by the Henry Luce Foundation. Over the two three years during the COVID-19 period, more than 60 leading scholars from both countries have participated in a series of online dialogues over many topics of the bilateral relations. These dialogues, aimed at fostering open and frank communication between the policy communities of both countries, have promoted an in-depth understanding of various pandemic-related issues. This dialogue project, conducted by our Center, also served as a channel of communication between the two sides at a time when in-person meetings were impossible. |
|
|
|
|
