BIG IDEA | ‘Throughout President Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office, his administration has largely continued the Trump administration’s hawkish approach toward China.’

‘President Biden has also made international coalition building to confront the growing power and influence of China his primary foreign policy initiative.’

‘Chinese leaders and the public are not convinced by the statements recently made by President Biden that these U.S.-led alliances are “not anti-Chinese” and that the United States is “not looking for confrontation” with China.’

‘Throughout President Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office, his administration has largely continued the Trump administration’s hawkish approach toward China.’

• ‘President Biden has also made international coalition-building his primary foreign policy initiative, which differs markedly from his predecessor’s “America First” approach.’

‘Washington is wise to focus on improving its relationship with its allies to confront the growing power and influence of China.’

• ‘Beijing’s increasingly assertive conduct, both in the region and on the world stage—including the pressure campaign against Taiwan, economic coercion against Australia, and retaliatory sanctions targeting individuals and institutions in North America and Europe—has caused serious concern in the U.S. and ally countries.’

‘But Chinese leaders and the public are not convinced by the statements recently made by President Biden that these U.S.-led alliances are “not anti-Chinese” and that the United States is “not looking for confrontation” with China.’

• ‘Chinese media widely reported stories such as the U.S. strongly pressuring South Korea to join the Quad and also inviting the UK, France, and Germany to participate in naval exercises in the South China Sea in March, an operation known as “Free Navigation.” ’

‘From the Chinese perspective, many of the Biden administration’s other recent moves indicate that a new anti-China Cold War is imminent.’

• ‘These actions include restructuring global industrial and supply chains, initiating the so-called “chip alliance” or “semiconductor industry alliance,” joining “like-minded countries” to boycott Chinese products and China-sponsored events because of human rights issues, urging EU countries to reconsider the EU- China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, and hosting the “democracy summit” at the White House.’
• ‘These actions and the resulting reactions from China have increasingly driven the world into two trade and investment systems, two IT and internet systems, potentially two financial and currency systems, and two political and military blocs.’

‘This “Cold War-like bloc” or “Cold War-style alliance” (jiemeng lengzhan) –– a new term that has been used by government officials and geopolitical analysts around the world –– reflects concerns within the international community regarding Biden’s foreign policy strategy.’