Trade relations are "the only signpost" to reflect the condition of the bilateral ties, as they directly affect the two governments, he added.

Jin Canrong, an expert in international affairs at Renmin University of China, has a similar view.

"The politicization and ideological turn of the Google case could make it more difficult to work together," Jin said, but added: "The basic need for cooperation, economically and diplomatically, hasn't changed."

Zhou Qi, an expert on US studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, added: "It's an illusion if people think there would be no friction in an improving bilateral relationship.

"The case could be a small problem if you know frictions are just a normal part of ties," she said.