Year-end Review: The opportunities of Sino-US relations are greater than challenges

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Sino-US relations have entered a new stage of balanced and coordinated development since Donald Trump took office in January this year.

The close interaction between the two heads of state of China and the United States has always been the key to advancing the bilateral relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping has held three meetings with his American counterpart this year, and has conducted many phone calls and communications.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) and his US counterpart Donald Trump (L) hold the second round of talks in the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, the US, April 7, 2017. /Xinhua Photo‍

The two countries also established four high-level dialogue mechanisms covering the various fields of Sino-US relations and agreed on the main direction of cooperation planning, thus achieving a good start to cooperation.

Shortly after the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Trump went on a state visit to China. The two heads of state had a dialogue on a wide range of topics such as regional security, and the Chinese and US companies signed trade and investment deals which worth more than 250 billion US dollars. The two sides agreed to expand wider cooperation areas on the basis of mutual benefit, and properly control differences on the basis of mutual respect. The visit achieved tangible results and reached a series of important agreements.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R2) and his wife Peng Liyuan (R), and US President Donald Trump (L2) and his wife Melania Trump pose for a photo in front of Taihedian, or the Hall of Supreme Harmony, during their visit to the Palace Museum in Beijing, November 8, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Of course, the development of Sino-US relations has never been smooth sailing, and has always meant overcoming challenges and interference. With the rapid growth of China's economic strength and comprehensive national strength, the overall national strength of China and the US has changed, and the strategic competitiveness is increasing.

The Trump administration's first national security strategy report holds that China and other countries pose a threat to the interests of the US on some international issues, reflecting the distrust and strategic anxiety of some US government forces on China's peaceful rise.

The imbalances in trade between China and the US often trigger unilateral sanctions against China's trade in the US. Some in the US government do not realize that the importance of loosening export controls of high-tech products to China, and fair treatment of Chinese enterprises to invest in the US, are important for solving the problem of trade imbalance. Instead, they attacked China's "economic aggression" against the US.

US President Donald Trump makes remarks regarding the administration's National Security Strategy in Washington, DC, US, December 18, 2017. /VCG Photo

In addition, in terms of regional security, fighting terrorism, the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and the Iran nuclear issue, the two sides need further coordination and cooperation with specific steps towards implementation.

The Sino-US relations have entered an era of cooperation and competition, and both sides need help with their international issues and national development.

As for how to grasp future Sino-US relations, President Xi has pointed out the direction of development. We should view Sino-US relations from a long-term and strategic perspective, expand areas of cooperation to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results. We should strengthen communication and coordination on regional hot-button issues. We should respect each other's core interests and major concerns and maintain the overall stability of Sino-US relations.

The two sides should strengthen their cooperation in the following four fields:

First of all, we will continue to vigorously promote bilateral trade and two-way investment.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R, Front) and his US counterpart Donald Trump (L, Front) take a walk in the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, US, April 7, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Secondly, China and the US should continue to deepen cooperation in the financial field and strengthen the coordination of regulatory policies.

Third, in the field of infrastructure, Chinese and American enterprises have a broad space to deepen their cooperation.

Fourth, in the field of energy, Chinese and American enterprises also have an urgent need to deepen their cooperation. The economic cooperation between China and the US lays the foundation for promoting the economic structure transformation of their respective countries and ensuring the harmonious economic growth of the two countries.

(The author is researcher with China Institute for Geopolitics and Energy Strategy. The article reflects the author’s opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.)