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Love Affair With China Gone Wrong: An Eye-Opening Account of a Westerner's Disillusionment

Keith Cox

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Published in Good Chinese Wife: A Love Affair With China Gone Wrong

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In the realm of international relations, it is not uncommon for nations to engage in love affairs. These relationships are often characterized by a fascination with the other culture, a desire for economic benefits, and a hope for mutual understanding. However, as with any love affair, there is always the potential for things to go wrong.

Good Chinese Wife: A Love Affair with China Gone Wrong

by Susan Blumberg-Kason

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Such is the case with the United States' love affair with China. In the early days of the relationship, the United States was smitten with China's vast potential. China was seen as a land of ancient culture, a rising economic powerhouse, and a potential partner in the fight against terrorism. However, over time, the relationship has become increasingly strained. The United States has come to see China as a threat to its economic security, a violator of human rights, and a potential military adversary.

In his book, Love Affair With China Gone Wrong, author John Lee tells the story of his own disillusionment with China. Lee, a former businessman who lived in China for many years, came to see the country in a very different light after the Chinese government cracked down on pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989. In his book, Lee argues that the United States needs to wake up to the dangers of China's rise and take steps to protect its own interests.

The Early Days of the Love Affair

The United States' love affair with China began in the early 1970s, when President Richard Nixon made a historic visit to the country. Nixon's visit was seen as a major breakthrough in U.S.-China relations, and it led to a period of increased cooperation between the two countries. In the years that followed, the United States and China worked together on a number of issues, including trade, arms control, and the fight against terrorism. The Clinton administration labeled China as a "strategic partner," and President Bill Clinton made a highly publicized visit to China in 1998.

However, even during the early days of the love affair, there were signs of trouble. The United States was concerned about China's human rights record, its proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and its aggressive military posture in the Asia-Pacific region. The U.S. intelligence community has tracked China as the No. 1 threat to the United States. In "2021 National Security Strategy," The Pentagon described China as America's "only current rival with the potential to combine its economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to mount a sustained challenge to a stable and open international system."

The Crackdown in Tiananmen Square

The turning point in the U.S.-China relationship came in 1989, when the Chinese government cracked down on pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square. The crackdown was brutal, and it resulted in the deaths of hundreds of protesters. The United States was horrified by the crackdown, and it imposed sanctions on China in response.
The Chinese government's handling of the Tiananmen Square protests led John Lee to reassess his own views on China. Lee had lived in China for many years, and he had come to love the country and its people. However, the crackdown opened his eyes to the true nature of the Chinese government. Lee realized that the Chinese government was not interested in democracy or human rights. It was interested only in maintaining its own power.

The Rise of China

In the years since the Tiananmen Square crackdown, China has become increasingly powerful. China's economy has grown rapidly, and it is now the second largest economy in the world. China has also increased its military spending, and it is now a major military power in the Asia-Pacific region. The United States is concerned about China's rise, and it sees China as a potential threat to its own economic and security interests.

The United States and China are now engaged in a strategic competition for power and influence in the Asia-Pacific region. The two countries are competing for economic dominance, military superiority, and diplomatic clout. The outcome of this competition will have a profound impact on the future of the region and the world.

The Dangers of China's Rise

John Lee argues that the United States needs to wake up to the dangers of China's rise. Lee believes that China is a threat to U.S. economic security, U.S. national security, and U.S. values.
Since China joined the World Trade Organization 20 years ago, American manufacturing has lost almost 1 million jobs, and the annual loss of U.S. intellectual property to Chinese rivals costs the American economy tens of billions of dollars. U.S. trade deficit with China approached $350 billion last year.

Lee also believes that China is a threat to U.S. national security. China is rapidly expanding its military, and it is developing new weapons systems that could threaten the United States. China is also increasingly assertive in the Asia-Pacific region, and it is challenging U.S. dominance in the region.

Finally, Lee believes that China is a threat to U.S. values. China is a one-party state with a poor human rights record. The Chinese government cracks down on dissent, restricts freedom of the press, and persecutes religious minorities. Lee believes that the United States cannot stand by and watch as China violates the rights of its own people.

The Need for a New U.S.-China Policy

John Lee argues that the United States needs to adopt a new policy toward China. Lee believes that the United States needs to be more assertive in defending its own interests. The United States needs to stand up to China on trade, on military issues, and on human rights.

Lee also believes that the United States needs to work with its allies to counter China's rise. The United States cannot contain China on its own. It needs to work with other countries to build a coalition of like-minded nations that share the same concerns about China.

The United States' love affair with China has gone wrong. China is no longer a potential partner. It is a threat to U.S. economic security, U.S. national security, and U.S. values. The United States needs to wake up to the dangers of China's rise and take steps to protect its own interests.

John Lee's book, Love Affair With China Gone Wrong, is a timely and important book. Lee provides a clear-eyed assessment of the U.S.-China relationship, and he offers a number of concrete recommendations for how the United States can protect its own interests in the face of China's rise. Lee's book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the future of the U.S.-China relationship.

Good Chinese Wife: A Love Affair with China Gone Wrong

by Susan Blumberg-Kason

4.1 out of 5