Over the past few weeks, the relationship between the US and China has been heating up. The US recently approved a $6.4 billion arms deal with Taiwan, and President Obama is planning to meet the Dalai Lama later this month. This comes on the heels of Google?s noisy withdrawal from China and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton?s speech on Internet freedom. China has responded with louder-than-usual condemnations, cutting military ties with the US and threatening sanctions against companies involved in the arms deal. In short, relations between the two countries are growing tenser.

Or so it would appear. In reality, none of the recent announcements represents any real change in America?s China policy. The Taiwan arms deal was in compliance with the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, which requires the US to provide for Taiwanese defence. Obama?s planned meeting with the Dalai Lama is consistent with the practice of the last three American presidents, all of whom had similar encounters, and the White House insists it views the Dalai Lama only as a spiritual leader.

If anything, the novelty in the US-China relationship comes from an emboldened China. China?s 8.7% growth in 2009 as the US stagnated during the economic crisis has led many to predict a new world order with China rising as the US? star fades. During his November visit to China, the American President was largely derided as weak for refusing to meet with the Dalai Lama beforehand, accepting Chinese restrictions on the broadcast of his trip and failing to elicit concessions from Chinese leadership. Today, faced with an increasingly disgruntled electorate, Obama can no longer afford the appearance of being pushed around. His recent statements, across the board, have been designed to show him defending the American people, be the threat domestic (eg, Wall Street) or foreign.

For the sake of his reputation at home, Obama will want to be seen to resolutely protect the interests and position of his nation. In sum, believe what he said in his State of the Union address: ?I do not accept second place for the United States of America.?

?feedit@expressindia.com