Zhao Minghao, "The Covid-19 Pandemic and Intensification of U.S.-China Strategic Competition,"
The Chinese Journal of American Studies , No.5, 2020

【Abstract】The Covid-19 pandemic causes significant damage to the world and is strategically consequential to U.S.-China relations. The Trump administration takes advantage of the pandemic to intensify great power competition with China. The American government seeks to build an anti-China coalition and block China’s participation in global supply chains through fostering the “Economic Prosperity Network” and other policy measures. The pandemic illustrates the importance of advanced technologies in safeguarding national security and economic competitiveness. The Trump ad- ministration reinforces its “technology cold war” vis-à-vis China by tightening export controls，strengthening such mechanisms as Multilateral Action on Sensitive Technologies and forging an “Alliance Innovation Base”. In terms of ideological competition, the American government augments its war of narratives against China, which primarily targets the Chinese political system and the Communist Party of China. In light of the worsening U.S.-China relations, China needs to maintain its strategic patience, continue its new round of reform and opening-up, and focus on its long-term interests. China should avoid confrontation with America and recalibrate its own strategy towards America.

【Key Words】Sino-U.S. ties, strategic competition, benign competition, effective management, social governance capacity

【Author】Zhao Minghao, Senior Fellow of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University