Racism, Racial Hierarchy Ideology, and U.S. Strategic Competition with China

This study examines how racism has influenced US policy toward China. It uses the narrowing power gap between China and the US, the differences in their political systems, and the impact of the evolution of US domestic affairs as independent variables. We introduce domestic racism and racial hierarchy ideology (DRRHI) and international racism and racial hierarchy ideology (IRRHI) as intervention variables. Domestically, in the face of political and social conflicts triggered by DRRHI, a tough policy toward China has become beneficial for both the US Democratic and Republican parties. Internationally, deep-rooted IRRHI hinders the US from accepting the loss of its leading position in the international system and the rise of China. To maintain the DRRHI and IRRHI, the US regards China as its major strategic competitor. Cold War thinking, whole-of-government containment policies, alliance systems, stigmatization strategies, and human rights attacks, all of which are based on DRRHI and IRRHI, remain important components of US policy toward China.