U.S.-China Relations in the 21st Century
The U.S.-China rivalry is notable not just for its military and economic competition, but also for its ideological component. The United States has traditionally supported a liberal global order founded on free markets, democratic governance, and respect for human rights. China, on the other hand, provides an alternative form of authoritarian government paired with state-led economy. China has made an effort, especially in developing nations, to promote its political model as a competitive alternative to Western liberal democracy under President Xi Jinping. Following China’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic, which Beijing has presented as proof of the superiority of its governance structure, this ideological rivalry has intensified.
