When Western society discusses Sino-U.S. relations, they like to apply the so-called "rising country" versus "hegemony" paradigm. They believe this is a problem that has not yet been settled and that the future of Sino-U.S. relations is not promising. However, from the perspective of historical fact, in spite of many failures, there are still some examples of success.

US successfully answered the challenge of British hegemony

For instance, the propagator of the current hegemony, the United States, has answered such a challenge in the process of its own development. Evidence can be found particularly in the process of how the United States handled its relationship with the British in the 19th Century.

From the Declaration of Independence right up until the end of the 19th century, the British-US relationship was uneasy at best, nothing like the "special British-US relationship" they have today. However, they did managed to cultivate a practical relationship that was conducive to the development and growth of the United States.

Freed from political control while maintaining economic and trade relations

While it struggled to free itself from Britain's political control by Britain, the United States remained within the trade system led by Britain and maintained close economic ties. At the beginning of independence, anti-British sentiments pervaded US society. Stressing freedom and equality, many Americans believed that if the US maintained close ties to its former suzerain, it would not be politically independent, therefore undermining the nascent national virtues. They were also angered by British conduct in commercial activities. They wanted the US to launch a trade war against Britain. However, the ruling elite, including US President George Washington and Minister of Finance Alexander Hamilton, realized that strength and self-interest are decisive factors in international affairs. A fragile and new country must be cautious if it wishes to safeguard its future interests.

At that time, Britain dominated American business. In 1789, 90 percent of the US' federal financial resources came from the import duties from Britain. In 1790, the volume of British imports from the US accounted for 35 percent of total US exports. British industrial technology was unparalleled. The British navy controlled almost all of the world's maritime trade corridors. Since the United States could not force Britain to act in accordance with their rules, rather they had to abide by Britain's, even pretend to be a friend. Hamilton constantly repeated, "Our fundamental motivation is to conceal our true intentions."

To a certain extent, the United States has successfully turned its major external negative factor into a certain positive factor. A desire to free itself of British hegemony became a driving force in US economic development. Throughout the 19th century, the United States took full advantage of the British system of free trade. Britain has also been a major export market and an important destination for US capital and technology input.

Border delimitation of spheres of forces

The US has used their geopolitical and economic skills to demarcate the boundaries of forces with the British. Less than a 100 years after the United States declared independence, the US strategic elite was fully aware that an economically powerful and hostile superpower �C Britain �C was an enormous challenge in the United States' foreign policy.

Up until the end of the First World War, Britain always had the military strength to declare war on the US. The US naval defense, for the most of that time, could not even afford an attack from a third class naval power. The Americans realized that in comparison to European countries, Britain was a safe partner, even if they were arrogant and ambitious. Although the British could destroy any United States city with their navy at any time, they could also send the US financial market into chaos by controlling international credit system. So the United States developed effective counter-measures for both. If Britain chose to threaten the US with its maritime superiority, the US could take Canada hostage. It could also occupy the West Indies. If the British waged economic warfare, the US could close the market, causing many British companies to go bankrupt and triggering chaos in London financial markets.

The two countries were actually in a state of mutual deterrence. Either one could cause considerable damage to the other. In these circumstances, the two countries managed to achieve a very solid strategic compromise. As US President James Monroe said, "to reach a tacit understanding with the United Kingdom is not the worst choice at all."

If the US could maintain friendly relations with Britain and command British naval loyalty, the fleets of other European countries would not be able to cross the Atlantic and damage the United States. The British navy (rather than the US navy) patrolled the Atlantic to block any advancing European powers! The US enjoyed freedom of movement in the North American region as well as the benefits of an alliance with Britain. The United Kingdom paid to maintain the hegemony they had established and the US were major beneficiaries.

The most prominent manifestation of the strategic compromise between the United States and Britain was the "Monroe system", wherein the two countries clarified their involvement in border disputes. They agreed that the United States should not interfere in the internal affairs of the European powers, including affairs in American colonies, and that European powers should not interfere in the affairs of the Americas. Even Thomas Jefferson praised the Monroe system, which essentially promoted friendly relations between the US and the United Kingdom. If they abided by their side of the agreement, there was no country in the world the United States should fear.

The Monroe system made it possible for three generations of US citizens to concentrate on economic development and expansion in the North American continent without worrying much about security. They had no need for super-strong armed forces. It could be argued that the system afforded the US the greatest security dividend while paying the lowest political and military costs. This made a contemporary American scholar sigh and say, "In 1900 the US spent little in defense, but it was very safe. But after 100 years its defense spending is larger than any country in the world, however, it is not safer than before!"

Of course, this is only a rough description of some of the external conditions that have allowed the United States to focus on growth and development in the last two hundred years. This situation would be impossible to replicate in this age. However, reflection on experience can be instrumental in deciphering the present. It shows us that when a rising country is attempting to grow outside of the presiding hegemony, it does not have to end in conflict and tragedy.

By People's Daily Online; The author, Ni Feng, is a researcher at the Institute of the United States of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences