[BOOK INTRODUCTION] US-CHINA RELATIONS IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 21ST CENTURY: A NEW TYPE OF GREAT POWER RELATIONSHIP?

After the Cold War, international relations underwent a clear transformation, shifting from a bipolar to a multipolar trend. In this multipolar world, the relations among major countries in the G-7, G8, and G20 groups always play a crucial role, influencing the global political landscape. Within this interwoven relationship, the dynamics between the two great powers, the United States and China, hold a leading position. This relationship has undergone noticeable changes following China's rapid rise, its move away from the policy of "hiding its capabilities and biding its time," and its adoption of a foreign policy aimed at asserting its status as a major power. The relationship between the two countries is entering a new phase that is not yet clearly defined, posing a challenge for related countries in their policy planning. Against the backdrop of China's continued rise, US-China relations are undergoing and will continue to experience significant shifts, with profound impacts on the global landscape and international relations in the Asia-Pacific region. Monitoring, updating, and closely assessing the relationship between the two countries is becoming increasingly necessary, especially for Vietnam, a small country whose interests are closely tied to the evolution of this relationship. To help readers better understand this issue, we would like to introduce the book: US-China Relations in the First Half of the 21st Century: A New Type of Great Power Relationship? The book consists of three chapters:

Chapter 1: US-China Relations after the Cold War

In this chapter, the author provides an overview of the US-China relationship during the Cold War, delves into an analysis of the two countries' counter-strategies, and examines the shifts in US-China relations following the Cold War.

Chapter 2: The Idea of a New Type of Great Power Relationship Model

Up until the time President Obama took office, several factors emerged in US-China relations leading to the creation of the New Type of Great Power Relationship (NTGPR) model. Chapter II analyzes the context in which this model originated, such as the economic and military correlations, the great power ideology in foreign policy under Xi Jinping, and aspects of cooperation in US-China relations. Furthermore, the author addresses the views of both the US and China regarding the new type of relationship, the content of the NTGPR framework, and the process and developments of US-China relations from the inception of the idea until the present.

Chapter 3: The Trajectory of US-China Relations 

Chapter 3 offers forecasts on domestic and foreign policy trends, analyzing the development trends, strategies, and the strengths and weaknesses of China's foreign policy. Based on these studies, the author also presents several domestic and foreign policy scenarios for China. Additionally, the author forecasts the situation in the US, the current strength of the US, and its foreign strategy. From this, several scenarios for US-China relations are projected.

In summary, current US-China relations are driven by many new dynamics that push both cooperation and struggle. However, how these dynamics will interact and what the ultimate outcome will be remains a question without a complete answer. The book US-China Relations in the First Half of the 21st Century: A New Type of Great Power Relationship?, with its wealth of useful information, will help readers explore the evolution of US-China relations under new conditions.

We are pleased to introduce this book to our readers!

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Tung is the Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

Dr. Dang Cam Tu is the Deputy Director of the Institute for Foreign Policy of Strategic Studies - Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.