Spying, Subversion & Great Power Identity Conflict between the United States & China

John Delury, Yonsei University

Abstract

This article delves into a relatively understudied yet critically important aspect of
US-China relations―intelligence, subversion, espionage and what can be called “covert
relations.” It sheds new light on the question of “great power conflict” between the US and
China by examining the identity struggle in terms of covert efforts, or the perception of such
efforts, to undermine one another. Taking a broad historical perspective, covert action is
identified as a principal arena of contestation in Sino-US relations since the establishment of
the PRC in 1949. This approach also draws attention to the positive contribution of “intelligence
sharing” in building trust between adversaries, a notable feature of US-China rapprochement in
the 1970s. With China’s economic and geopolitical rise in the early 20th century, fear of
subversion resurfaced as a key element in the relationship, as is likely to continue to be the case
in the Xi-Trump era.

Keywords: US-China relations․great power conflict․national identity․intelligence․
espionage