Shortly after assuming power in January 2001, US President George W. Bush, with a heavy tinge of neo-realistic, security-minded ideology, began to adjust the foreign policy and defence strategy adopted by his predecessor Bill Clinton.

China was redefined as a strategic competitor, and Sino-US relations therefore experienced serious up and downs.

However, essential cooperation between China and the United States over the past year proves that the two countries have not plunged into confrontation but have built a new type of co-operative relationship.

Bush's tough foreign policy stems from his neo-realistic theory, and the United States' unparalleled position as the world's sole superpower, which is a solid base for its hardline unilateralist behaviour.

Neo-realism holds that the principal goal a state pursues is security. Thus, the state should unceasingly expand its national strength to seek absolute security.

According to the theory, a superpower should prevent the rise of any potential challenger, and completely contain any rival before it becomes powerful enough.

With its neo-realistic psychology as the guideline, the Bush administration has evinced a tough disposition.

For example, Bush pays no attention to "low-level" politics like environmental issues, finance, and international crime. Instead, he demonstrates interest in and puts emphasis on traditional areas like the military and security.

In Bush's opinion, the persistent interests of the United States, the world's sole superpower, are ensuring security, freedom of action, preventing its rivals from dominating key regions, and maintaining prosperity.

Regarding relations between the world's major powers, Bush attaches more importance to security and geopolitics.

Bush, for example, strengthened alliances with the US's traditional friends such as Europe, Japan and Australia, adopted a harsher attitude towards China and Russia, and began to sell sophisticated weaponry on a large-scale to Taiwan.

As for security strategy, Bush puts more emphasis than the Clinton administration upon maintaining the so-called "absolute military superiority" of the United States.

To this end, he staunchly supports developing the missile defence system, increasing defence spending and carrying out reviews of US military strategy.

Regarding international issues such as missile deployment and the Kyoto Protocol, as well as other major issues, Bush often chooses to act unilaterally.

Bush's habit of paying little respect to international and even allies' opinions has generated widespread condemnation and opposition.

The neo-realists' viewpoint is that the United States' objective is to maintain absolute superiority over other nations, and prevent the rise of any potential foe that could possibly challenge its international status.

In their opinions, China's leaders denounce the current international political and economic orders, and advocate a new, democratic international order which confers all states, big or small, rich or poor, with equal rights, thus posing a substantial challenge to the current system of world peace under US control.

The neo-realists hold that the Taiwan question, a long-standing sensitive issue, is likely to draw the United States into regional conflicts in East Asia.

Similarly, China's disagreements with the United States over human rights, are also taken as potential dangers to the interests of the United States.

Using such logic, Bush made a strategic shift from engagement to containment in his China policy immediately after he took office.

He then took a harsher stance towards China on the Taiwan question, and substituted "strategic ambiguity" for "strategic clearance" in documents regarding this issue, showing his decision to put into practice his reinterpretation of China as a strategic competitor.

In the wake of last year's air collision between a Chinese military plane and a US surveillance plane, Bush claimed the United States would pay any price to assist Taiwan's self-defence, and thus went much farther in selling arms to Taiwan.

Nevertheless, Sino-US relations have not completely broken down, despite Bush's tougher policies towards China, and room still exists for expanded co-operation.

Over the past year, especially since September 11, 2001, co-operation between the two countries has increased, and their relations have relaxed to some extent.

However, that does not mean the Bush administration has forsaken it neo-realistic theoretical foundation.

In its opinion, a rational country seeks national security. Any foreign policy, whether co-operation or rivalry, will be embraced when considered to serve this end.

When it comes to China, Bush seems to be aware that co-operation with the Asian giant can engender more advantages than disadvantages, to both the United States and the existing world order.

In Bush's opinion, China, as a rapidly rising great power, is actively integrating itself into the global system and clearly expressing its interest in co-operating with the United States.

Through co-operation with China, the United States can push forward its economic development, and bring itself enormous commercial opportunity.

More important, the United States needs China's support and co-operation in combating terrorism.

With these considerations no doubt in mind, the Bush administration has gradually softened its China policy, especially since the September 11 attacks, and has attempted to pursue tactical co-operation instead of strategic confrontation.

In these circumstances, China and the United States have enjoyed a relaxed bilateral atmosphere and have co-operated on a raft of issues.

The two countries have reached a joint stance on counter-terrorism. China has offered its relentless support to the US-led war against terrorism, and the United States listed China's "East Turkistan" group as a terrorist organization, demonstrating its support for China's territorial integrity.

On the Taiwan question, the Bush administration has on many occasions stressed its adherence to the one-China policy.

The two countries continue to closely co-operate on the prevention of the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction, and their disagreements in this regard are narrowing.

Sino-US economic and trade exchanges and co-operation have maintained a strong momentum, and have become strong links between the two countries.

Undoubtedly, the United States has built its co-operation with China on a neo-realistic theoretical base.

With China's economic force ascending and its participation in international affairs increasing, China and the United States still have wide room for co-operation even if the latter adopts a tough neo-realistic diplomatic position towards the former.

The author is an editor with the International Department of the Guangzhou-based Yangcheng Evening News, and the article was originally carried in the Beijing-based Global Times.

(China Daily November 19, 2002)