The forgotten legacy of US–China wartime cooperation

The Forgotten Legacy of US–China Wartime Cooperation

US–China wartime cooperation has left a lasting maritime legacy that continues to shape Asia's order today.

The dominant narrative about US–China relations is one of rivalry and competition, with policymakers and commentators speaking of 'strategic competition' or a 'new Cold War'.

However, history shows that US–China relations have had moments of deep cooperation, such as during the Second World War, when the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and much of the West fought together against the Axis powers.

This was a moment of profound solidarity between the United States and China.

Today, the legacy of this cooperation continues to shape Asia's maritime order, with Washington courting Tokyo as a strategic partner to balance Beijing.

Author's summary: US–China wartime cooperation legacy shapes Asia's order.

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East Asia Forum East Asia Forum — 2025-10-14

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