Third, the bilateral military relationship was restored. This year saw much more frequent interactions and exchanges between the two militaries. Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan visited the United States and met Chuck Hagel, his US counterpart, in August. The visit signaled the importance of the military-to-military relationship and the determination of both sides to build a new model of military relationship that matches – rather than lag behind – the overall relationship. This new model of military relationship is to be built on the basis of mutual respect, win-win cooperation, mutual trust, all-round development and inclusiveness; it must reject dominance by one side, zero-sum confrontation, mutual suspicion, lopsided development and exclusion of other interested parties.

On 24-25 August, the Chinese Navy and the Fifth Fleet of the US Navy conducted a joint anti-piracy drill in the Gulf of Aden. The drill included firing of light weapons and main artillery, inspection and detention at short notice, joint rescue mission, etc. Chinese and US helicopters landed on each other’s naval vessels – a first in such drills. On 10 September, the two navies involved four of their vessels and three helicopters in a joint search and rescue exercise conducted in a complex environment near Hawaii. This exercise created many “firsts”: the first formation flight of Chinese and US helicopters, the establishment of the first joint damage control team and the first joint aerial search of the same body of waters by Chinese and US naval assets. On 12-14 November, the two militaries conducted their first joint humanitarian relief exercise near Hawaii – the first time China sent its troops to participate in exercises held on American soil. The exercise, which involved search for life and rescue from the air, was based on the scenario that a third country had been shaken by a powerful earthquake and had requested help from China and the United States. It is also widely reported that China will participate in the 2014 RIMPAC exercises. Despite these positive developments, many difficult issues prevent the military-to-military relationship from being put on a more solid footing. US arms sale to Taiwan, frequent close-up surveillance of China’s coastal area and discriminatory US legislation that singles out China are just a few examples of the impediments to the sustained development of the relationship and more in-depth cooperation between the two militaries.

On the other hand, it is important to note that the best way to address common challenges is to work together to shape the future. Indeed, China and the United States have expanded their cooperation on international and regional hotspots and global challenges, maintained close consultation and coordination on the Iranian and Korean nuclear issues and Syria, and increased dialogue on climate change, cyber-security and other transnational issues.

This is not to say there are no differences between China and the United States on some issues. If mishandled, they have the potential to worsen the “trust deficit” between the two countries.

For example, the Japan factor has a considerable impact on the China-US relationship. Some Chinese media see US statements and actions on issues involving Japan as a litmus test of Washington’s sincerity toward China. The United States maintains it needs to protect the interest of its allies, but its reputation will be damaged in Beijing if it gives a free pass to Tokyo’s right-wing inclinations and uses Japan to keep China down. Another example that may erode trust between China and the United States concerns the fledging regional mechanisms. Some Chinese media are concerned that the US-dominated Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is designed to exclude China. On issues like these, it is important to have more dialogue in order to clear the misunderstandings.

The China-US relationship is, by all accounts, the decisive factor that will shape the future of the Asia-Pacific region and the world. It faces both opportunities and challenges in 2014. It is imperative that China and the United States steer clear of any interference and persist in being friends and partners. A stronger sense of shared responsibilities will put the new model of relations that both sides desire on a more solid footing.

Dr. Ruan Zongze is Vice President, Senior Fellow of China Institute of International Studies; Editor-in-Chief, China International Studies; an expert on UNDP Human Development Report Advisory Panel.

This article was first published at www.chinausfocus.com To see the original please visit http://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/a-new-model-of-major-country-relations-the-new-driving-force-behind-china-us-relations/