The shifting balance of power between China and the United States will undoubtedly lead to occasional friction but will not derail strategic their fundamental strategic cooperation which is based on economic interdependence, a foreign affairs expert told China.org.cn yesterday as China prepares to welcome President Obama on his first state visit.

President Obama will spend three days in China, visiting Beijing and Shanghai. His meeting with President Hu Jintao will be his third since taking office. Security issues, nonproliferation, energy and climate change are expected to top the agenda when the two presidents meet.

"There is still a huge gap between China and U.S. especially in terms of soft power. As the gap narrows, differences in values and political systems will gradually come to the fore. But because of their highly integrated economies, China and the U.S. will continue emphasize strategic cooperation rather than strategic conflict,"said Professor Li Haidong, of the Institute of International Relations, China Foreign Affairs University.

On the Taiwan issue, widely seen as a potential flashpoint between the two countries, Professor Li played down the differences, even on the question of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, implying that the sales were the result of domestic lobbying.

"From the perspective of the United States, the sale of arms to Taiwan is a domestic issue. Obama will make his decision based on changes in domestic politics and competition between the political parties. But given the trend towards closer cross-Straits ties, whatever decision the Obama administration makes on arms sales to Taiwan will have a symbolic rather than practical significance."

Professor Li emphasized the basic continuity of China-U.S. ties said that the change of administration in Washington will not fundamentally affect relations.

"China's economic growth, globalization and China-U.S. economic integration are solid foundations for the steady development of China-U.S. relations. The U.S. was badly hit by the financial crisis, has high unemployment, and sees China as indispensable to its economic recovery. China-U.S. relations will build on the good foundations laid during the Bush administration."

Obama's three-day stay in China will be much longer than his visits to Japan, Singapore or South Korea. Professor Li attributes this to China's growing strategic importance to the U.S. "The U.S. attaches great importance to China's views on global and regional issues. China's flexible and realistic policy means it is in some ways more in tune with American interests than traditional U.S. allies. The American emphasis on China may encourage its allies and partners to also consider strengthening relations with China."