Two things happened over the weekend that deeply grabbed the world's attention. First, former U.S. President George H.W. Bush passed away. Second, leaders from China and the U.S. reached a truce in Buenos Aires on the sidelines of the G20 summit on trade tariffs and decided to come back to the negotiating table. 

On American media, much is being said about the legacy of President Bush senior. He is also much talked about here across the Pacific Ocean. And two aspects have stood out from the Chinese perspective. Do you want to take a guess? 

First, of course, it was his China connection. From 1974 to 1975, he served as the head of the U.S. liaison office in China. Remember back then, the two countries did not have diplomatic relations, so there was no embassy. This photo of him with his beloved wife Barbara during a biking tour in the heart of Beijing has been widely shared on Chinese social media. There are some things that are captivating about this photo, and of course, their laughter – so heartfelt and happy. What filled them with such joy?

The freedom they felt exploring the heart of the Chinese capital on two wheels? The broad streets and flatness of the city always makes biking a pleasant experience for me. But what else?

Look at that Mao portrait that happens to be featured so prominently in the middle of the picture, in between their faces. The photographer probably wanted to send a message: The couple was not just laughing together with each other, but also with a third potential friend – China.

Yes, President Bush senior was the only U.S. president who had the experience of being a diplomat in China, at a time when China was still not open to the world. 

He saw the China that was poor and lost and reeling from a decade of upheaval. He saw the purest of Chinese mentalities and emotions, before the era of consumerism. Look at the faces of the Chinese passersby who were watching right as this photo was taken. That look of innocence was on the face of every Chinese back then. 

I'm sure President Bush senior felt that too. Forty-three years have passed. The world has changed so much. I must say, in Sino-American relations, the part that has changed more has to be China and the Chinese, the group those passersby represented. We not only got richer, more sophisticated, and more worldly, but in the eyes of many Americans, we have even become a competitor. Meanwhile, the U.S. has changed at a much slower pace.

President Bush senior's time in Beijing influenced his feelings about China and his China policy during his term as president. Although this fast pace of change in China would have caught him by surprise, he thought from early on that, “the future lay in Asia and the future lay in China.” 

What we have experienced now is a new China, led by a new generation of leaders and a U.S., also led by a new team that's only been in office for two years. Obviously, nobody on this current team has the kind of understanding and feelings toward China that former President Bush senior had.

But that should not prevent them from being able to see what's at stake in this relationship, behaving maturely, and learning to work with each other in an effective way. The U.S. needs to treat China as an adult with respect. China needs to treat itself as a responsible adult too.

"I love the Chinese people. One of my dreams for our world is that these two powerful giants will continue working toward a full partnership and friendship that will bring peace and prosperity to people everywhere." This was the vision laid out by President Bush senior. More and more people believe he was right. By the way, the second thing that's going viral in China about President Bush senior and his wife is their 73-year love story.  

May they rest in peace. 

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