Between Competition and Cooperation

In an era defined by geopolitical flux, few voices offer as clear-eyed and grounded an assessment of global power shifts as Prof. Wu Xinbo of Fudan University, one of China's foremost scholars on U.S.-China relations. In this conversation, he unpacks the evolving dynamics shaping Asia's strategic landscape - from decoupling debates to Sino-Indian cooperation and the future of global governance.

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In recent years, we have seen a growing narrative of U.S.-China strategic decoupling. From your vantage point, how sustainable is that trajectory? Could we instead see a “selective engagement” model evolve, especially in areas like climate, health, and digital governance?

Since the first Trump administration, strategic decoupling has been occurring between China and the United States in trade, technology, investment, and other domains. However, due to the high level of interdependence that has been formed over the years in the context of globalization, it is impossible to secure a complete decoupling between the two countries in trade and economic relations. To some extent, Washington has to live with more trade and economic links with China than it wishes. Besides, the two countries have to cooperate and coordinate with each other in diplomatic, security, law-enforcement, and other areas. As a result, Sino-U.S. relations will be shaped by unavoidable coupling and necessary engagement.

The U.S. has often framed its Indo-Pacific policy as a counterweight to China's rise. Yet China emphasises “common development” and connectivity (e.g., the BRI). How do you assess the balance between competition and cooperation in the region's future?