At the start of a new decade, it’s useful to review the state of the world and the forces that will shape the future. Though success won’t come easily, China is set to emerge as one of the greatest forces for good in history.

Experts at a recent Global Times forum shared diverse views and framed China-U.S. issues in different ways. But the wisdom of Henry Kissinger continued to resonate and point the way forward.

Beijing and Washington are expected to sign the limited Phase One trade deal on January 15.

Differences in the words and phrases used to express what has transpired suggest there are dangers for the future. The number and complexity of variables does not inspire confidence.

In recent years, fears of a new cold war between the United States and China have been proliferating. But the tensions between the two powers would be better described as a “cool war,” characterized not by old-fashioned spheres of interest, proxy wars, and the threat of “mutually assured destruction,” but by an unprecedented combination of wide-ranging competition and deep interconnection.

China’s economic growth is expected to have slowed to just over 6% this year, and it is unlikely to accelerate anytime soon. In fact, economic commentators generally agree that China’s economic performance in 2019 – the worst in nearly 30 years – could be the best for at least a decade. What observers can’t seem to agree on is how worried China should be, or what policymakers can do to improve growth prospects.

The economy of the United States appears to be in a slide that will continue through 2020. If he expects to win re-election, the U.S. president must find a way to stop it. Ending the trade war with China is a key step.

America has been grossly interfering with economic cooperation in the region, attempting to reinforce a false perception that Beijing poses a threat.

The opening of the ‘Power of Siberia’ pipeline represents another development in the Sino-Russian relationship. The pragmatic strategic partnership in Eurasia will only continue to obstruct US foreign policy throughout the continent.

China and the U.S. relationship, while strained, remains the most important bilateral relationship in the world today. The 2020 election will surely revolve around it.