The Conflict

Although China and the United States have been making moves toward diplomacy, some real and unresolved friction continues to exist between the two states. China has emerged from a century and a half of devastation at the hands of the industrial nations; its future stance toward the United States and the West is not certain. Incidents such as the spy plane collision may indicate hard-line policies and a fierce competitor in world power as well as the world market.

Political

• Taiwan remains a long-standing and unresolved issue between the two nations. China will not accept it as an independent nation, and the United States will not allow China to use force to reclaim it.
• China has joined the World Trade Organization and was highly supportive of Washington after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. There are...