Why Chinese and US Bureaucrats Share Similar Mindsets and Actions

The relations between the United States and China in 2025 have faced significant challenges. Economic tensions have escalated due to actions such as reciprocal tariffs and competition over rare earth resources. Military disagreements in the Indo-Pacific region have intensified the rivalry, framing it as a contest between contrasting ideologies: democracy against autocracy, and individualism versus collectivism.

Shared Mindsets of Bureaucrats

Despite the ideological divide at the leadership level, a closer look reveals a commonality among the bureaucratic systems of both nations. Professionals, known as career bureaucrats, play a crucial role in executing government policies in both countries. Research indicates that these officials often respond to global challenges in similar ways, largely driven by similar incentives.

Comparative Bureaucratic Structures

There are notable differences in the bureaucratic structures of the U.S. and China. As of 2024, China employs about 8 million civil servants in a centralized system, whereas the decentralized U.S. bureaucracy consists of around 3 million federal employees.

• China: Centralized system with 8 million civil servants.
• U.S.: Decentralized system with 3 million federal employees.

Despite these differences, studies show that bureaucratic behavior remains consistent across nations when dealing with complex issues, which indicates that political systems are less influential than commonly perceived.

Common Ground in Foreign Aid

Foreign aid practices present another area of convergence. China has expanded its engagement abroad through the China International Development Cooperation Agency since 2018. In contrast, the U.S. has reduced its foreign aid efforts significantly in 2025 by dissolving USAID and reallocating its resources.

Despite these contrasting approaches, bureaucrats in both countries face similar challenges. Their objectives include satisfying political demands, managing public expectations, and optimizing their respective nations’ “soft power.”

Challenges of Blame Avoidance

Environmental policy responses further illustrate the parallels between U.S. and Chinese bureaucrats. Both systems are characterized by a tendency to deflect blame for failures rather than seeking accountability for successes. This behavior is often driven by concerns over career longevity.

• China: In Hebei, officials deflected criticism related to pollution control measures, focusing on public discontent.
• U.S.: In Flint, Michigan, officials shifted blame during a water contamination crisis.

Impact During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a similar landscape. Bureaucrats in both countries had to navigate the political climate while implementing health guidelines, resulting in delays that undermined public health efforts. Both Chinese and American bureaucrats were initially hesitant, reflecting a desire to conform to leadership’s preferences.

Bureaucracy as a Stabilizing Force

Amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington, the role of bureaucrats remains essential. While politics may set the agenda, it is these officials who actualize policies. Their behavior is grounded in incentives rather than ideological differences.

This consistent bureaucratic approach can provide a degree of predictability, even during turbulent periods marked by escalating political rhetoric. Effective implementation of national and international actions relies on the stability of bureaucratic routines, creating a necessary institutional balance.