Living with the dragon
Subtitle: how the American public views the rise of China
By: Benjamin I. Page and Tao Xie.
Contributors: Xie, Tao.
Series: Contemporary Asia in the world
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Published: 2010
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 212
ISBN-13: 9780231152082; 9780231525497
Subjects: Public opinion -- United States; China -- Foreign public opinion, American; United States -- Relations -- China; China -- Relations -- United States
Description: It is widely believed that most Americans not only distrust but also despise China. Considering the country's violent political history, unprecedented economic rise, and growing military capabilities, China has become America's strongest market competitor and arguably the most challenging global threat to the United States. Nevertheless, a full consideration of American opinion proves the opposite to be true. Carefully analyzing all available polls and surveys, Benjamin I. Page and Tao Xie find most Americans favor peaceful engagement with China. The public view has been surprisingly coherent and consistent, changing only in response to major events and new information. While a majority of Americans are not happy that China's economy is projected to become as large as that of the United States, they are prepared to live with it. "Unfair" Chinese trade practices and their impact on American jobs and wages are a concern, along with the quality and safety of Chinese-made goods. However, Americans favor free trade with China, provided it is tempered with environmental and workplace protections. They also believe that the United States should "balance" Chinese power through alliances with neighboring countries, such as Japan. Yet they oppose military action to defend Taiwan. Page and Xie examine these opinions in relation to facts about China and in light of current U.S. debates on diplomacy and policy.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: The United States and China; title: The economic dragon; title: The rise of China as a world power; title: Democracy and human rights; title: Friends or foes?; title: The future of U.S.-China relations.