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Seize the strategic moment

By Wang Lili (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-01-19 07:59

Both countries should stabilize Sino-US political, economic and military relations and pursue common interests

After a year of uncertainties, the prospects for Sino-US relations in 2011 are in the spotlight at present. Scholars and the media in both countries are scrutinizing President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States, and people all over the world are watching closely, such is the importance of the meeting.

In a comment titled "How to stay friends with China", published in the New York Times on Jan 2, former national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski described President Hu's visit as "the most important top-level United States-Chinese encounter since Deng Xiaoping's historic trip more than 30 years ago".

"The United States and China should not flinch from a forthright discussion of their differences - but they should undertake it with the knowledge that each needs the other," Brzezinski said. "A failure to consolidate and widen their cooperation would damage not just both nations, but the world as a whole."

China and the US have many interests in common, which emphasizes the need to further develop reciprocal relations through cooperation.

However, the question remains how to improve mutual trust and dialogue. A question that is especially important at this time, when China's rise is changing the established political order, both nations need to carefully strive to reach a balanced relationship.

Ever since the ice-breaking visit of former US president Richard Nixon in 1972, Sino-US relations have experienced many difficulties and setbacks, but even so they have continued to move forward. But while China's policy toward the US has fundamentally remained stable, the US' policy toward China often varies with changes of presidency.

I once attended courses given by Henry Kissinger, Nixon's secretary of state, in Tsinghua University, and was deeply impressed by his words that China is the concern of every US president, but none has enough knowledge of it on entering the White House.

After three decades, Sino-US relations have reached a historic point, and where they go next is a question for strategists from both nations.

Now that the US is becoming more rational in its policy toward China, the two sides should establish normal relations.

However, the sad fact is, there is still a lack of strategic mutual trust between the two nations, as their military ties lag far behind their economic and political relations, and each portrays the other with a certain degree of distortion. More diplomacy is required to foster healthy mutual relations.

China and US might differ greatly culturally and ideologically, but they also share common interests in strategic development. Harmonious Sino-US relations will benefit the whole world.

In the 21st century the world is becoming increasingly interconnected. History has entered a new era, characterized by globalization and mutual reliance. Global affairs can no longer be dominated by one power alone. This has posed a serious challenge to China and the US as they seek to renew positive interaction.

The 21th century not only produced technological progress, it also witnessed nuclear proliferation, terrorism and climate changes. To successfully deal with these problems requires international cooperation, especially among powers such as the US and China, and both countries' leaders need to be aware of their global responsibilities.

Therefore we sincerely send our best wishes to President Hu Jintao on his visit to the US.

May the two great countries join hands in coping with the challenges we face today, and establish a positive beginning for the new century.

The author is a research fellow at the Public Communication Institute of Renmin University of China.