It was asked to me, will China be the next country to challenge the United States on the
world stage? My response was strong and firm, no country will ever challenge the
United States, it doesn’t matter what the arena is. Well that question is on more than just a few
minds. That same question has been asked from college professors, military officials,
government officials, and other countries throughout the world. This question has become
relevant due to that fact of China’s economic rise, the emergence of their military programs, and
their influence of the international community. Before anyone can answer that question we must
understand the relationship between the United States and the Chinese government.
History between the US and China
The United States and China has been involved with one another for many years dating back
to1784,(Latourette, 2007). In that year China and the United States started trade between the two
countries and that alliance is strong to this day. The United States has always been there to aid
and support the Chinese government and it was due to the fact that the United States saw China
the center for trading in the east. As the United States and China’s relation grew so did the
immigration of Chinese into the United States. In 1882 Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion
Act, which was the United States barring the immigration of Chinese to the United States. This
action by the United States against China was the only time immigration laws were designated
for a single race of people.
In a more recent history of events between the United States and China was the Vietnam
War. The United States was allied with South Vietnam forces while the North Vietnam forces
were backed by China and the Soviet Union. Even though this war was to stop the spread of
communism it became unpopular very quickly in the United States and rightfully so. At the end
of...