Ties That Bind: The Fading Significance of Historical Allusions in Sino US Relations Historical ties have long been a staple of diplomatic rhetoric, often used to paper over pressing issues or create a sense of shared destiny between nations.
However, as the Sino US relationship has grown more multifaceted and contentious, it's becoming increasingly clear that relying on grand historical narratives may no longer be enough to sustain cooperation.
President Trump's recent state banquet speech in Beijing, which invoked Confucian values and the shared educational heritage between Tsinghua University and America's founding fathers, raised questions about the purpose of these nostalgic references.