Exactly 45 years ago, on January 1, 1979, China and the U.S. officially established diplomatic ties. Over the ensuing years, China-U.S. relations have weathered numerous challenges, making steady and positive progress. Despite their differences, cooperation has always been the mainstay of relations between the two countries. As the world ushers in 2024, this significant relationship is now at a crossroads. The path of development of China-U.S. relations is significant not only for the two countries, but also for the international community at large.