ISAS Insights

China and the United States have become ever interdependent since then President Richard M. Nixon’s visit to Beijing 40 years ago. In February 1972, Nixon met with Chairman Mao Zedong and set into motion a relationship that led to their interdependence. But the relationship lacks trust. Starting this fall, Beijing will begin the process of transferring political authority to a new generation of leaders led by Xi Jinping, currently the country’s Vice-President. He will take over as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China when the party meets for its five-yearly conclave later this year. In March 2013, he will become the country’s president, replacing Hu Jintao in both positions. He will remain in office for ten years, from 2013 to 2023. During this time, Washington will complete the process of shifting its attention from Europe to the Pacific, a change in policy focus that was announced by President Barack Obama on several occasions in 2011.