Russian expert predicts US administration will increase pressure on China

The Biden administration will increase pressure on China in many areas, said Alexey Maslov, director of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, at an online conference organized by the Valdai Discussion Club and the Center for Russia-China Strategic Interaction under the CITIC Foundation for China's Reform and Development Research.

US President Joe Biden. Photo: AP

“There will be pressure in a number of key areas,” the expert said, noting that the US will do everything to prevent China from entering the high-tech sector, specifically hindering the implementation of the Made in China 2025 strategy.

“Most importantly, they will not let China offer high technology to countries, first of all Western Europe, but also Africa and Latin America. This policy was initiated under former President Donald Trump, and now it will continue,” he said.

In addition, the expert noted that the US will continue to pursue a policy of containment when it comes to China as a military actor. He pointed out that in this context, Washington will consider Beijing along with Moscow. France and Germany also see Russia and China together as a source of military threat, Maslov added.

“The US will try to shape a global perception that China’s economic initiatives pose a threat. We can also see a rise in criticism of China’s virtual currency,” the expert said. He also pointed out that the US administration will use the human rights rhetoric as a tool to pressure China. Although Washington will continue trade negotiations with Beijing, it will also be accompanied by public criticism of China’s stance, Maslov said.

Security Alliance

In the security field, the US is seeking to build a global regulatory system through conflict management, the expert added. “The US is trying to surround Russia and China with conflict groups. They are trying to impose a new global control system through conflict management,” he pointed out. “And so far, Russia and China are in a position to defend or justify themselves. In my opinion, a common Russian-Chinese concept is a very important step to stabilize the world right now.”

According to Maslov, Moscow and Beijing must think about establishing a common comprehensive security system, capable of covering other areas along with the military, such as energy, banking, and communications.

“Thus, Russia and China can introduce a new concept of global stability through a new security concept,” Maslov concluded. “This is something the United States cannot currently offer, and it seems that it has no plans to do so.”