There has always existed a kind of invisible triangle of games between China, Europe and the United States. Every time China and the US have been at odds, China's relations with Europe has warmed. Similarly, Beijing's ties with Washington would improve once it had a difficult time with European countries.

However, this push-and-pull relationship is undergoing delicate changes, as indicated by a series of disputes between China and the two powers since the beginning of the global financial crisis and in recent months. A new strategy in which the US and European countries are joining hands to contain China is possibly taking shape and will likely tilt the triangular relationship.

Tension in Sino-US relations has been seething on a number of issues, ranging from Google's exit threat from China, the US arms sale to Taiwan, the meeting between the Dalai Lama and US President Barack Obama, and the issue of China's so-called military transparency. Tension with the US has escalated as China's disputes with Europe remain unresolved on issues such as anti-dumping, China's prosecution of British drug trafficker Akmal Shaikh, and disagreements on who is responsible for the discounted Copenhagen climate talks. The US and European countries have also moved forward together in lashing out at China for its alleged failure to correct the imbalance in international trade as the West persistently demands, refusing to side with them on the Iran nuclear issue, the Myanmar situation, African affairs and global climate change.

There is an inevitability in the combined move by the US and Europe to contain China. The unprecedented global financial crisis in decades has caused the global economic focus to move east. The rapid development of some emerging economies, such as China, has heightened expectations for approaching changes to world order, which has been dominated by the West.

The military superiority established by Europe five decades ago and its extensive political influences are waning. Faced with a decline in US forces and its international might, Obama has in many public speeches to his countrymen said the US is "one of the most important countries", an edit from the previous rhetoric in describing the US as "the most important".

The change in rhetoric reflects to some extent the recognition by the president of the world's sole superpower that the US is in decline. However, the long-established centralism by the US and Europe and their sense of cultural superiority make it difficult for them to accept China's rise and to voluntarily give up their long-held dominance in international affairs. Despite being plagued by their differences on some issues, the task of dealing with the challenge from China, perceived as a common strategic competitor, has brought the US and European countries closer than ever.

China's economy grew by 8.7 percent last year and realized its V-shaped recovery, as indicated by recent economic data. The country's shining economy is in sharp contrast with discouraging performances from the US and European economies and has stoked resentment in the American and European public toward their respective governments.