HOW USA AND CHINA PLAY DIFFERENT GAMES

 

“To answer power with power, the Jedi way this is not. In this war, a danger there is, of losing who we are.” (Yoda, a legendary Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker’s mentor in the Star Wars saga)

MENTOR

Welcome to our Go club, young man! I’m here to teach you the basics of this ancient game. Go is a game of territory, influence, balance, harmony, conflict, and resolution. Do you understand?

MENTEE

Wow, that sounds deep and intriguing. I think I understand some of those words, but not all of them.

MENTOR

Don’t worry, you will learn them as we go along. Go is a game that challenges your mind and your spirit. It teaches you how to think spatially, how to evaluate your position, how to create shapes, how to connect and cut, how to attack and defend, how to reduce and invade, how to capture and save, how to end the game and score.

I’ll give you a bonus. I want to show you something else. Go can help you understand the current conflict in the South China Sea.

MENTEE

Really? How can a board game help me understand a real-world conflict?

MENTOR

Well, you see, Go is not just a board game. It is also a metaphor, a way of looking at the world.

MENTEE

That sounds interesting. How do we do that?

MENTOR

Let’s start with the objective of the game. In Go, the objective is to surround more territory than your opponent. Let’s relate this to the South China Sea conflict that involves competing claims over territory and resources.

China claims almost 90% of the sea based on its nine-dash line which it says reflects its historical rights. China has been trying to expand its control and influence over the sea by building artificial islands.

Other claimants like the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei have their claims based on international law or historical rights. They have been trying to defend their interests and rights by protesting China’s actions, seeking international arbitration, or cooperating with other countries.

MENTEE

So, China is playing Go in the South China Sea?

MENTOR

Yes, you could say that. China is trying to surround more territory than its opponents and assert its influence over the sea by deploying its naval forces and conducting patrols. But there is another player in the conflict, one that has no direct stake in the sea but has several interests that motivate its intervention. That player -- the USA.

MENTEE

And what game is the US playing in the South China Sea?

MENTOR

Chess: another ancient and fascinating board game. By comparing Go with chess, we can see how both sides – China and the US -- have their respective approaches and philosophies that shape their behavior and perception of the conflict.

While in Go, you want to control the board the most space, in chess, you want to capture on the board the most important piece.

 The US wants to uphold its principles of freedom of navigation rule of law and regional stability. It wants to counter China’s rising power and assert its leadership and presence. It has been trying to achieve such goals by conducting naval exercises and forging alliances, among others.

MENTEE

So, the US is trying to checkmate China in the South China Sea?

MENTOR

Yes, you could say that. The US is trying to capture the most important piece on the board – the kingly influence over the sea. But there is a problem with this analogy.

MENTEE

What is it?

MENTOR

Go and chess are different games with different rules and strategies. They are not compatible and interchangeable. You can’t play Go with chess pieces, apply Go principles to chess situations, or expect Go outcomes from chess actions, and the other way around.

MENTEE

So, what does that mean for the conflict?

MENTOR

It means that both sides are playing different games in the South China Sea. Both don’t understand each other’s game and have different objectives, interests, challenges, strengths, weaknesses, approaches, and philosophies. Both have different ways of looking at the world. Both have different yin and yang.

 

MENTEE

What are yin and yang?

MENTOR

They are the two opposite but complementary forces that makeup everything in the universe. In Go, yin and yang are represented by black and white stones. In chess, yin and yang are represented by black and white pieces.

MENTEE

I see. So how do yin and yang affect the conflict?

MENTOR

Well, you see, Go is a game that balances yin and yang. It emphasizes long-term vision, holistic thinking, indirect action, flexible adaptation, mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. It reflects China’s historical and cultural legacy, as well as its current aspirations and challenges.

On the other hand, chess is a game that contrasts yin and yang. It emphasizes short-term tactics, linear thinking, direct action, rigid rules, zero-sum outcomes, and decisive victory. In the same way, it reflects the US’s historical and cultural legacy, as well as its current aspirations and challenges.

MENTEE

I see. So, Go and chess are not just games. Both are also metaphors for the worldviews of China and the US.

MENTOR

Yes, exactly. And by understanding these metaphors, we can understand the conflict better, and maybe even find a way to manage or resolve it.

MENTEE

How can we do that?

MENTOR

Well, I don’t have a simple answer for that. The situation is complex and uncertain, and there are many other factors and perspectives. But I think the first step is to recognize that both sides are playing different games in the South China Sea and to respect such differences. The second step is to learn from each other’s games and to find common ground. The third step is to play a new game together, one that is not Go or chess, but something else. Something that can accommodate both sides’ interests and values, and create a win-win situation for everyone involved.

MENTEE

That sounds very hopeful.

MENTOR

Well, I’m glad you think so. Go is a game that teaches you hope and optimism. It teaches you that there is always a way out of a difficult situation if you look hard enough. It teaches you that there is always a possibility of resolution if you work hard enough.

MENTEE

Thank you for teaching me. You are very kind and wise.

MENTOR

You are welcome. You are very eager and curious. I’m sure you will become a great Go player someday. And maybe even a great peacemaker in the future.

Now, let’s play a game and see what you have learned.

Content put together in collaboration with Microsoft Bing AI-powered co-pilot

Head collage photos courtesy of The Japan Times & Getty Images

Still photos courtesy of PNG key, Mr. Eurodisco, & Freepik

Video clip courtesy of YouTube