''Ascending a Height to Look into the Distance''    

    In the final analysis, recent tension and setbacks in bilateral relations were brought about as part of a cycle, the domestic transitions necessary following the global financial crisis. In both countries, opinions are hawked boisterously, as if from market stalls. The hardliners and the bellicose in both countries harm, or at least compromise, the satisfaction that could be taken in Sino-U.S. relations. The comic point of the ''hurt'' is that both sides wrap themselves in their respective flags and claim to represent ''national interests.'' But more often than not they make simple or uninformed judgments about the situation, and are guilty at least of distorting each other's positions if not demonizing their opponents.

    The stability and development of Sino-U.S. relations needs both countries to consciously and strategically adjust their respective policy frameworks and domestic policy structures.

    Balanced media coverage of the complexity and rationality of China's position towards the United States would clarify and improve public understanding of the government’s policy towards the United States. Meanwhile, cross-sector coordination has strengthened understanding and will continue to do so.

    It is a 21st century realization that countries accomplish more together than when they are at loggerheads. When leaders of two countries work with this insight they can get below the surface of bilateral relations and insist on building a positive, cooperative and comprehensive bilateral relationship; this was stressed in a joint statement released in January 2001. Talking about developing Sino-U.S. relations, President Hu Jintao observed that we should ''ascend the heights to look into the distance,'' and President Obama said that when crossing a river in the same boat, people need to pull together in times of trouble. So the big gain made by Sino-U.S. leadership in January 2001 is not what kind of agreement they reached, but whether a cooperative method that is acceptable to both sides can be found to address disputes.

    The U.S.-China Joint Statement published after the Hu Jintao-Obama meeting is not lengthy, but it reflects the common efforts already made since 2010 to close rifts that have affected bilateral relations and expand common interests. For instance, concerning the DPRK issue, the United States and China expressed concern about the DPRK’s claims regarding its uranium enrichment program; regarding the RMB exchange rate, China has promised to sustain its modestly rising trend; and regarding American military alliances in East Asia, China deems it a ''historical product.'' About China's rational pursuit of security the United States reiterated that ''It welcomes a strong, prosperous and successful China.''

    The joint statement stressed mutual affirmation of the need to work together to address areas of disagreement, expand common ground, and strengthen coordination on a range of issues, explicitly stating the aim ''to work together to build a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit in order to promote the common interests of both countries and to address the 21st century's opportunities and challenges.''

    During President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States, 40 economic and trade agreements were signed, of a contracted value of US $45 billion. This indicates what kind of impact Sino-U.S. economic cooperation can have on a bilaterally-driven economic agenda and global economy in general. President Hu pointed out, ''China has become the most important source of profits for global investments made by American enterprises.''    

    Moreover, on the comprehensive, forward advance of Sino-U.S. relations, President Hu Jintao set forth a five-point proposal for enhancing bilateral ties, namely, the two sides should develop a political relationship of equality, mutual trust and seeking common ground while reserving difference; the two sides should deepen comprehensive, cooperative, mutually beneficial and win-win economic ties; and both sides should jointly meet challenges through global cooperation. Moreover, people of both nations should get actively involved in China-U.S. friendship, and high-level contacts and exchanges should be a mechanism to strengthen strategic communications and candid dialogue and mutual consultation to deepen understanding. These suggestions have undoubtedly pointed the direction for the development of bilateral relations.

Creating New Historic Opportunities for Sino-U.S. Relations

    President Hu's visit to the United States shows that when historic changes are taking place in Sino-U.S. relations, the leaders of the two countries both are in pivotal positions to make strategic choices. Insight into the opportunity should motivate the control and influence they exert on various domestic elements that could affect change in the relationship of the two peoples.

    Problems, challenges and disputes in Sino-U.S. relations are often ''structural,'' and not resolvable in the blink of an eye. Therefore, a good bilateral relationship does not imply an absence of disputes but implies response and mode to address disputes on the basis of mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual benefit. For instance, regarding the recent points of contention mentioned the two sides do not seek a package settlement, but constant improvements within a policy framework over a certain time.

    It was in this sense that President Obama declared President Hu's visit as significant as Deng Xiaoping's in 1979. This is a proper comparison indeed. In the 32 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China has changed, the United States has changed, and the world has changed. Sino-U.S. relations must too. What remain unchanged is the cross-Pacific friendship, and the faith and determination to contribute to human wellbeing and prosperity in the two countries. World peace, stability and prosperity in the 21st century, to a great extent, depends on this accord, on the friendship of the two peoples, and on the strategic vision of their leaders.

    Of course, one leadership meeting cannot wipe away all the problems in Sino-U.S. relations in one go. However, as long as the leaders of the two countries are constant in their monitoring and valuation of the relationship, deal with problems instead of sidestepping them, and attach the greatest importance to world peace and human wellbeing in the 21st century, Sino-U.S. relations will be able to keep correct direction amid competition and cooperation.