[Interview] Zhao Huzi, Professor at the Central Party School of China, "Future US-China Relations Depend on US Leadership"

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Professor Zhao Huji of the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China. The Central Party School is a national educational institution that trains senior cadres of the Communist Party of China. Top officials such as ministers, secretaries, and governors are required to complete a certain period of education at the Central Party School. Former state presidents Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao also served as principals. Professor Zhao Huji graduated from Peking University and earned his master's and doctoral degrees in law from the same university's graduate school.

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] "American society is in turmoil over the U.S. presidential election process and its outcome. This signifies the decline of the liberal democratic political structure established since the Industrial Revolution."

Professor Zhao Huji of the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party assessed the division in the U.S. after the presidential election in an interview with Asia Economy on the 16th. Although Joe Biden was declared the winner, President Donald Trump refused to concede and demanded a recount, highlighting the confrontational situation.

Professor Zhao pointed to digital dysfunction as one of the causes of the decline of democracy. Digital platforms have become important communication channels with the people (citizens), but some digital communication channels are being exploited politically. He cited the United States as a prime example, referring to President Donald Trump's use of Twitter politics.

He said globalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution were reasons why Trump received enthusiastic support from the white middle class. Through digital communication channels, Trump emphasized that China was a country taking jobs from the white middle class, which intensified anti-China sentiment. Professor Zhao asserted, "To win the votes of the white middle class whose income has decreased, President Trump used the China blame theory as an attack point." The same applied to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Regarding changes in U.S.-China relations after the official launch of the Joe Biden administration, he said, "The key will be how much American political leaders understand China." This means that the U.S.'s understanding of China will have a decisive impact on bilateral relations. He added, "The Chinese leadership also needs time and a process to explain and persuade political leaders in the Western camp, including the U.S., about socialism with Chinese characteristics."

However, he evaluated that even after the Biden administration officially begins, the overall framework of containing China will not change for the time being. He said, "It's a matter of speed; China will continue to develop," emphasizing, "What is clear is that China is in a position of catching up, not a country ahead of (the U.S.)."

When asked whether China could threaten the U.S.'s hegemonic status, Professor Zhao said, "The U.S. leads in many areas such as military power, economic strength, creativity (education), and agriculture," and firmly stated, "China is a competitor to the U.S., but absolutely not a country that threatens the U.S."

Regarding the conditions of a great power, Professor Zhao defined it as "a country equipped with military power, economic strength, quality of life for its people, a value system acceptable to the majority of humanity, and corresponding institutions."

On the Taiwan issue, he said, "There are many variables." He pointed out, "Smooth unification is possible only if the people of Taiwan understand and accept the values of the mainland," and criticized, "The U.S. is using Taiwan as a political tool to contain China." He believed that if cross-strait relations continue to be tense, it would benefit neither China, the U.S., nor Taiwan.

When asked about the Korean Peninsula issue after the launch of the Biden administration, Professor Zhao added, "A stable South Korea and a stable Korean Peninsula are beneficial to China."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.