Between two superpowers

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The core message of President Joe Biden’s first big speech on foreign policy was that America is back.

“America cannot afford to be absent any more from the world level,” he told his crowd, before pledging to purchase diplomacy and recommit to international alliances.

For some countries in Asia, including Bangladesh, this friendly and cooperative speech appears like a welcome development. 

President Abdul Hamid recently described the partnership between Bangladesh and america as “excellent” and Primary Minister Sheikh Hasina features invited Mr Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to go to the country in the earliest opportunity.

The problem for Bangladesh is that Mr Biden’s speech also contained some incredibly sharp criticism of China, thus creating the uncomfortable feeling that America’s more gentle approach towards international relations will not include very much cooperation with China -- or its friends. 

There is physical proof the strong Sino-Bangladeshi relationship in Purbachal on the outskirts of Dhaka, where the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre opened lately.  

This is a classic exemplory case of China’s Belt and Street Initiative, focussed on investment in infrastructure projects, designed to foster long-term trade.

Meanwhile, america says it is considering development strategies for the port of Chittagong, because of its role as gatekeeper for Bangladesh’s export economy.

These developments show the pragmatic known reasons for Bangladesh to nurture its ties with both countries. Mr Biden said in his speech: “We’re prepared to use Beijing when it’s in America’s interest to do so.”

Nevertheless, he added that the US would confront China more than its “economic abuses,” “coercive actions,” and “attack about human rights, intellectual house, and global governance.”

The Chinese were not astonished by this. Actually, they had utilized their own best diplomat to try to press their narrative through the worldwide media before Mr Biden’s address.

Yang Jiechi, who sits on the Communist Party’s Politburo -- and is entrusted by President Xi Jinping to make clear China’s outlook to the environment -- said that the US and China “stand at a key moment.”

He reminded his audience of the large amount of organization which American companies conduct with China and of the great sums of funds the US borrows through the Chinese economic climate.

Referring to the US-China trade war, Mr Yang said: “Pertaining to the past few years, the Trump administration used misguided policies against China, plunging the partnership into its most challenging period because the establishment of diplomatic ties.”

A few days soon after, Mr Biden said in his speech that America needs to recover “credibility and moral authority, a lot of which includes been lost.”

This mention of the decline in America’s international standing under President Trump, echoed Mr Yang’s carefully chosen words of criticism.

As the brand new US president gets results on a strategy of creating alliances and containing China, the Chinese Communist Party continues to present itself as a force for progress, which drives the country’s unstoppable development.

Some economists predict the Chinese economy will grow by 8% this season, while the remaining world struggles with recession. 

The Chinese are confident they can outspend and outsmart the People in america with money and diplomacy to slowly but surely chip away at US influence in Asia. 

Bangladesh and other growing countries usually do not relish the prospect of being forced to choose between your great powers. The challenge is somehow to become listed on the US in addressing global complications, while as well accepting China’s offer of “coexistence, harmony and respecting diversity.”
Source: https://www.dhakatribune.com

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