Author(s)

Sheng Zhang

Corresponding Author

Sheng Zhang

ABSTRACT

As the most important bilateral relationship in the world at the present, the Sino-U.S. relationship has almost incomparable significance for global stability. This paper aims to examine the Thucydides’ Trap theory by Graham Allison and to explore another possible explanation for the future pattern of Sino-U.S. competition. Though agreeing with Allison’s emphasis on the importance of structural conflicts in shaping the future of Sino-U.S. relations and prediction on the trend in which competition becoming the main aspect of this bilateral relationship, this paper argues that a decisive and massive war as the Thucydides’ Trap suggests is very unlikely to take place due to nuclear deterrence. In lieu of Allison’s theory, this paper, through analyzing the current national strategies and behaviors of both states, intends to argue that the ongoing Sino-U.S. competition will take place in an unprecedented pattern: A comprehensive but mostly non-military competition that is centered on a phenomenon which this paper defines as the “securitization of the economy”.

KEYWORDS

Sino-US relations; the Thucydides Trap; the securitization of the economy; Sino-US strategic competition