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BEIJING: Chinese analysts said the administration of Barack Obama is unlikely to undertake major changes to US-China relations. But the newly-elected president is expected to place more emphasis on trade and currency issues, a traditional source of friction between US and China.
The historic moment for the US was also the time for China to figure out the most pivotal person they would have to work with in the next four years.
Chinese analysts believe Obama to be a proponent of a fairer trading system. The president-elect believes that China's unfair advantage in wages and labour standards have taken jobs away from Americans and contributed to the US deficit.
Therefore, higher labour standards, environmental protection and product safety are likely to top Obama's China agenda. But given the ongoing global financial crisis, he is also likely to seek Beijing's co-operation.
He has also indicated the importance of China in helping to resolve the Iranian and North Korean nuclear situations.
Zhang Liping, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Institute of American Studies, said: "China-US relations are at its best since ties were established. That's because the depth and breadth of co-operation have been widened - from trade and environment, to security and anti-terrorism. Both sides have a great deal of common interests."
As for Obama's assertion that China is neither friend nor enemy, Chinese observers said it is nothing to lose sleep over.
Zhang added: "This reflects the reality that there are social, political and ideological differences between US and China, and therefore the two countries are not likely to become allies. But because of common interests, neither are we enemies."
Chinese observers also anticipate teething problems for Obama in dealing with China. That's because the new president may also be unfamiliar with the policies, as well as the understanding reached under eight years of the Bush administration.
As for the question of Taiwan, the US is likely to continue to sell arms to Taiwan. But given that cross straits ties have been on the upswing under Ma Ying-jeou's administration, the question of Taiwan, which has long been a cornerstone of Sino-US relations, might just be a lot less contentious. - CNA/vm
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