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Seek new possibilities for Sino-US ties

Source:Global Times Published: 2013-6-8 0:28:02

What will happen when a rising power and a great power encounter one another? Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Barack Obama are seeking this answer in a Californian estate.

It is estimated that China's GDP will surpass that of the US during President Xi's tenure, pressing both countries to  resolve issues in their relationship.

It is true that suspicions and complaints are increasing between China and the US, but looking back to the rivalry between the US and the former Soviet Union, one would find that the talk of disharmony between China and US has been blown out of proportion. Whether it is "containment" from the US or "challenges" from China, both  sides basically remain restrained.

These kinds of complicated ties are forming a transitional but pioneering process, which heralds many possibilities, ranging from conflicts to a special partnership that is unprecedented in history.

So far, both China and the US are doing quite well in their relationship. As a rising power, China has learned sufficient lessons and experiences from the previous powers to maintain a low-profile while preparing for its rise. China's low key approach is not only applied to major powers, but also guides its diplomatic approach with smaller countries.

Objectively speaking, the US also respects the natural development of society and has an elastic strategy toward China, and is not brazenly trying to contain China.

The US is trying its best to maintain its status quo, in order to retain its hegemony. China has entered the international order in which Western countries prevail, but is accumulating its strength peacefully and underlining a shift in global power. China is not willing to be a challenger, but is eager to become a world power under the rules approved by Western countries.

Strategic games between China and the US are unavoidable, but both countries should be aware that as long as China and the US are following a cooperative path, they will develop. If they choose another path, they will suffer for their actions.

Both China and the US may still appear to be hostile in the other's eyes. But the development of world political civilization and the Sino-American relationship in the context of globalization has shed light on both countries, allowing them to avoid imperialist approaches. This kind of mutual confidence should be established to avoid worst-case scenarios of conflict.

It's difficult to task the public with the mission of becoming more understanding of one another, because American media, congress and various political forces will try to amplify frictions between both countries for their own short-term interests. Therefore, the responsibility of building mutual trust and cooperation should be borne by the governments of both countries.

This Xi-Obama meeting not only carries the hopes of the public from both countries, but also affects the interests of all human beings.

 

Posted in: Editorial