Ed Wong

on the relationship between China and the United States

Diplomatic and International Correspondent, The New York Times Fellow

The United States and China will become increasingly engaged in competition in a wide range of areas: military dominance in Asia, commerce, technology, diplomatic influence and, to a certain extent, ideas about systems of governance. China will continue on the path to becoming the world’s largest economy, which will increase fears among Americans of a China-dominant 21st century. Tensions between the two nations over the Taiwan issue and military presence in the seas of Asia will rise. Leaders and officials representing the countries will need to find ways to have candid conversations on all those issues and to establish norms that they adhere to in order to prevent tensions from blowing up into larger points of conflict.

War is unlikely: Their economies will remain closely intertwined, both nations have nuclear weapons and many other countries that do not want to be forced to choose between the two will work to prevent armed conflict. But the areas of competition will overshadow areas of cooperation. Diplomats can try to seek to expand the latter. That would include exploring ways in which the two countries can work together, including in multilateral settings, to manage urgent global issues: the economy, climate change, poverty, health, and food security and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It will be a challenge to build up the trust needed to do that.

What advice do you have for the next generation of diplomatic practitioners?

Aspiring diplomats should try to get to know parts of that world that interest them in settings outside of government work or before they enter government. They should seek opportunities for study, work and extended travel abroad that are not tied to government employment — this will give them a broader perspective that will be invaluable for their personal knowledge and will inform the practice of diplomacy.

President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde speaks at the JFK Jr. Forum on October 5, 2017.