Compared with two years ago, I'm a bit pessimistic about the China-US relations. The two big powers seem to be drifting further and further into mutual discontent with each other's actions.

While Americans tend to blame China's newfound confidence and assertiveness as the major factor in deteriorating bilateral relations, the Chinese side cites its worries about the intentions of the US's self-proclaimed return to Asia strategy.

Given this predicament, I think the two countries will meet two major hurdles to improving relations in the future: First, they lack a foundation for strategic cooperation; second, they will meet many unforeseen challenges in a number of areas.

Building a foundation for strategic cooperation

China and the US must seek common ground when building a strategic relationship. Otherwise, bilateral relations will continue to stagnate or may even deteriorate further.

Over the past 40 years, there were two periods when the two countries shared common ground on a strategic level: One is from 1972 to 1989 and the other is from 1992 to 2009. After 2009, however, the US began to suffer a major setback caused by the financial crisis, while China maintained its growth momentum and reaped great economic benefit. This has made the US feel insecure about its relative strategic position.

When the two sides lack a foundation for strategic cooperation, how can the China-US strategic relationship be reinvented?

China has proposed developing a new type of China-US relationship, based, according to my understanding, on three major points: First, no war should be staged to curb the rise of a new big power; second, the US should treat China as an equal; third, China must be prepared to take on the international responsibilities which correspond to its rise on the world stage.

As to ways this relationship can be defined, Washington and Beijing have made their respective suggestions. Henry Kissinger, the former US Secretary of State, proposed the idea of "co-evolution" in his book "On China". In May, Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo put forward the concept of C2 (the two in coordination) at the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue. Both of the suggestions are worth trying.

Dealing with conflicting interests

In the next decade, China and the US will face a tangled web of conflicting interests. The former "3T" issues – Taiwan, Tibet and Trade – remain unresolved. Also, there are a number of potential areas of conflict, which I will outline below.

First, competition for leadership in Asia-Pacific region is inevitable. China's military modernization will stir the US, because its hegemony is based on its military power. Additionally, China's determination to build itself into a maritime power will pose a challenge to the US and its strategic interests in the West Pacific.

Likewise, China's advances in science will lead to new competition in space exploration, Internet technology, and electronics. The upgrading of China's industries and the internationalization of the yuan will intensify the trade war between the two countries. Increasingly diversified media and public opinion in China will lead to debates over the country's stance and attitude towards the US.

Finally, the achievements China has made in the recent years will make the Western world, especially the US, feel challenged, which may lead to an ideological war. As Washington feels increasingly anxious and insecure, it may use China to divert public attention from its own domestic issues.

As for the solution to the above problems, my suggestions are as follows:

First, the US and China should develop common interests and seek opportunities for cooperation. Additionally, they must improve their communication mechanisms. For example, is there any chance to change the current China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue into a dialogue on strategy, security and economy? Since the US shows a strong desire to develop military ties with China, isn't it the time to add one more issues onto this strategic dialogue?

In short, to form a sustainable, functional partnership, the US and China must establish solid mechanisms to contain their points of disagreement and find ways to seek mutual benefit through continuous cooperation.

Jin Canrong is a professor and Associate Dean with the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China.

(This article was first published in Chinese and translated by Chen Xia.)

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