In a recent survey, more than 70 percent of Americans expressed a negative attitude toward China, a high proportion that makes one feel that the “emotional war” between China and the United States has entered the phase of whiteheating.
At the same time, China's favorable impression of the United States is not high, and it can even be said that it has decreased significantly. The emotional alienation between the two peoples seems to have become a normal state of relations in recent years.
But when we put our emotions aside and look back at real life, whether it is economy, science and technology, trade or global affairs, the "invisible thread" between China and the United States is still firmly tied to each other.
In the final analysis, this state of "disgusting your mouth, inseparable life" is the true portrayal of the relationship between the two countries today.
Americans are angry in their mouths, but they don’t want to be honest.
In recent years, the U.S. view of China has become more and more negative, and there are many reasons for this. political opposition, trade friction, technological competition, geo-security... These words that have repeatedly appeared in the news have long made many Americans feel distant from China.
On the one hand, U.S. media and politicians often portray China as a "adversary" or even a "threat" and always talk about China whenever an election or policy turns. This statement does indeed drive some people's emotions to a certain extent, especially in the context of economic anxiety or social unrest, finding an "external target" seems to be a common way to overlook internal issues.
But on the other hand, the American society's attitude toward China is not a piece of iron.When it comes to China's manufactured goods, everyday products and cooperation in the field of science and technology, many people are really clear: really to disconnect, the cost will be high, and even life will become uncomfortable.
Especially after the restart of the tariff policy, many American families began to feel the actual impact, with rising prices and increasing expenditures. These are real pressures. Say "don't like it", but as soon as they touch their wallets, most people have to rethink.
At this time, emotions and interests collide. People are expressing dissatisfaction with China while also measuring reality losses. You can be dissatisfied, but you can not eat. This state of “emotional rise, rational resilience” in American society is the true logic behind today’s “disappointment” emotions.
The Chinese are no longer looking, but more realistic.
Looking at China on the other hand, the perception of the United States has already changed. In the past many years, the United States has been a symbol in the eyes of many Chinese people, symbolizing development, freedom and advancement. However, with the passage of time, especially the changes of the international situation in recent years, this filter has gradually faded.
Nowadays, Chinese people look at the United States more from a "head-up" perspective. Not without interest, but no longer blind. In terms of science and technology, education and culture, many people still recognize the influence of the United States, but this is no longer equal to worship.
American society's own problems-such as the gap between rich and poor, medical burden, racial conflicts, political divisions, etc. -are also increasingly being seen by the public. Information spreads faster and wider than before, and the "other side" that was once ignored or invisible is now in front of people.
In the past, many people felt that America was an inaccessible target; now, more and more people are looking at themselves: how do we live?
The growth of the national economy, the stability of society, the improvement of the standard of living, all give people more confidence.This confidence is not blind optimism, but contrast judgment.
So, when Chinese people are asked “how to look at America,” more and more people are not given simple likes or dislikes, but more complex and realistic answers.
The mood cools down and the relationship continues
The trade exchanges are still going on, scientific and technological cooperation still exists, even if it is restricted in some areas, the real "completely disconnected" is still far away. The reason is also simple, the ties between the two countries are too deep, the involvement is too wide, not excuses can be broken.
In the United States, more and more people are beginning to realize this. Especially some young people, middle class, and independent people are not as easily influenced by ideology as the older generation. They are more concerned about the pros and cons of reality.
They know that confrontation can bring short-term “emotional victory,” but in the long run, the cost may be undermined to the benefits of the whole society.
Public attention is also shifting on China's side. Instead of caring about what the United States thinks of us, it is better to pay attention to whether we can do things well ourselves. National development, education and medical care, income growth and social security are the realities that people have to face every day.
Foreign relations are of course important, but they are no longer the focus. More and more people are beginning to realize that competition between China and the United States will exist for a long time, but this is not about moving toward radical opposition.
In the final analysis, Sino-US relations are no longer a black and white issue. Emotions can be there, but they can't dominate everything. Policymakers are slowly beginning to see more complicated signals from social sentiment: being tough blindly may not be effective, and being appropriate and pragmatic may be more popular.
No one can live without anyone else, this is the reality
Emotionally speaking, there is indeed more and more distrust between China and the United States, but in practice, the economic, industrial, technological and cultural ties between the two countries are deeply intertwined. Whether transnational enterprises, supply chain systems, or the framework of cooperation in international affairs, can not be separated from each other.
For the United States, China is not only a competitor, but also a market, a manufacturing and supply center, and an inseparable participant in global affairs. For China, the United States still plays an important role at many technological, capital, and market levels. The various connections between the two countries are like many knots on a rope. The tighter they are pulled, the more difficult it is to clarify.
This also explains why despite the alienation of public opinion, the two sides still have to bow their heads and cooperate on many practical matters. From global climate change to regional security, from financial stability to epidemic prevention and control, these issues cannot be solved by any party alone. Although cooperation is not easy, the cost of not cooperating is higher.
Therefore, the "coexistence" between China and the United States is no longer a choice, but a reality. Although this coexistence is accompanied by wariness and friction, it is precisely because each other knows the importance of each other that there is room for critical moments.
When the relationship is tense, the language may be more intense, but when it comes to cooperation, both sides often find a feasible path.
conclusion
The complexity of Sino-US relations lies in the fact that it has both emotional ups and downs and practical ties. The two numbers of 77% and 23.5% are eye-catching, but they are just superficial. What really determines the direction of relations between the two countries is not the level of these emotions, but the line of interests behind it that cannot be stabilized and broken.
In the future, there will definitely be frictions and disputes. But as long as each other still cares about the quality of life, economic development, and global stability, they are doomed to be unable to completely disengage. The public's emotions will continue to adjust according to these realities. Maybe no longer enthusiastic, but it will not completely break. This relationship of "dislike and dependence" is destined to continue.
Whoever first sees this clearly, whoever has mastered the initiative. Between China and the United States, there is no need for fantasies, but there is no need to go to extremes.