What Can the United States Do to Change China?

The United States can change its approach towards China by being more modest and lowering expectations. The fallacy of engagement with China was based on the belief that the right policy would yield the desired results. However, it is crucial to understand that China's policy shift towards assertiveness came after decades of American engagement. Therefore, American policymakers should not approach engagements with high expectations of changing China on their own. Keep expectations low about what American policymakers can achieve and what China is willing to do in the world. It is important to support protests in China, but do not expect immediate governance change. Maintaining modesty in expectations and supporting causes rhetorically without overestimating their immediate impact is crucial for any potential change in China.