US sees China as its biggest geopolitical challenge

It also identifies tackling shared threats like climate change and constraining Russia as key issues

- Charissa Yong

In its long-awaited national security strategy, the Biden administration has called China the most consequential geopolitical challenge for America, while also acknowledging the need to work with the superpower to tackle global problems.

The 48-page document unveiled on Wednesday outlined two broad challenges for the United States: Outcompeting geopolitical rivals to shape the international order, and dealing with shared threats such as climate change.

The strategy argued that US leadership was vital to overcoming these challenges, and stressed that time was of the essence.

"This decisive decade is critical both for defining the terms of competition, particularly with the PRC, and for getting ahead of massive challenges," National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters, using the initials for the People's Republic of China. "If we lose time in this decade, we will not be able to keep pace with, most notably, the climate crisis, but other challenges as well," he added.

The security strategy was unveiled 21 months into President Joe Biden's administration because it was delayed due to Russia's war in Ukraine.