Openness, respect, can make China-US relationship something more

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during a welcome banquet jointly hosted by Washington State government and friendly communities in Seattle, the United States, Sept. 22, 2015.[Photo/Xinhua]

Michael C. Hilliard

“What do you think of China?” After, “Do you have a girlfriend?” this is probably the most common question I get as a young American living and teaching in China. It’s a big question. After all, China, like America, is a big place.

I tell people there are a lot of things I like. Although there have been cases of culture shock, I have been impressed by how warm, welcoming and friendly most Chinese are. There is a wealth of great food—hot pot is a dish that provides a culinary adventure no foodie should miss. The history of China is storied and fascinating. There is an almost endless supply of awe-inspiring landscapes, many unlike anything else in the world. Family relationships are highly valued. My senior middle school students amaze me daily with their determination and perseverance through long hours spent in classes and homework.

Of course, there are also things I don’t like. Pollution and littering often mar an otherwise beautiful scene. Materialism runs rampant. Strong family ties are good, and collectivism can have benefits, but too much pressure from either can shunt the aspirations of those who would like to be more independent. One of the students at my school, a senior in his last year before graduation, once told me, “The educational system in China has killed the spirit of many of its youth,” referring poignantly to the incredible demands placed on students preparing to graduate.

But there are positives and negatives everywhere. While I love my home country of the United States, I often cringe at how divided we have become and the stagnation that has resulted from that division in recent years. Many problems have persisted for too long. The rate of childhood poverty in the United States is shocking and shameful. We don’t do enough to care for our veterans. The list goes on. Still, I believe that positives outweigh the negatives in both nations.

The relationship between China and the United States is complex; as major players on the world stage, we are bound to face both opportunity and friction. President Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States represents an important, if precarious, moment in time between our countries. Cyber security, economic issues, territorial disputes and terrorism all need to be addressed. Pundits point fingers and pontificate from both sides of the ocean, and it takes effort to cut through the noise—but the effort is worth it. Chinese and Americans can all benefit from increased understanding and cooperation. If we isolate ourselves in our differences, we become something less, but openness and respect can make us into something more.