Unlike the US, the EU does not perceive China as a “strategic” rival, but a “systemic” one. While China’s lack of economic and political liberalization poses a direct threat to EU’s interests and values, common ground can still be reached.

Under Trump the US has abandoned its former strategy of engagement with China, instead adopting a hardline stance. But his “trade war” has not borne fruit, while a recent thaw in negotiations shows the possibilities for renewed Sino-US cooperation.

Despite Trump’s diplomacy, North Korea will likely keep its nuclear capabilities while seeking more economic integration. This will pose complications for China, as either the US or other regional powers will pursue greater deterrence against a de facto nuclear North Korea.

Wang Jisi, a leading scholar of American studies in China, speaks with China-US Focus host James Chau on recent media reports of the FBI barring some Chinese scholars from visiting the U.S. over spying fears, as well as the rise of racial profiling in the U.S. Professor Wang also discussed the growing U.S.-China rivalry, concerns that China is moving backward, and his optimism that China is ultimately moving in the right direction.

Cracks are appearing in the European Union’s position on China. While much of Europe has developed a new, Trumpian-style position on China, the populist coalition in Rome is opening its arms to China and the Belt and Road Initiative.

In recent years, the United States has failed to reshape world affairs to its liking as it once could. From its inability to oust Bashar Assad from Syria, to its unilateral revocation of the Iran nuclear deal, to its unsuccessful pressuring of allies to block Huawei, we see an America that has lost its touch on the global stage.

China-U.S. relations are now “too big to fail,” and thus the two countries must seek a new pragmatic balance in their relationship.

China-US relations are entering a new stage of flux. We should remember that history shows how restraint and flexibility can allow the two giants to navigate around tensions in their complex relationship.

The European Council has issued a new definition of China: from the EU perspective, China is simultaneously a political and economic challenger and a partner in multilateral global governance. Through established forums like the G20 and UN, along with new iniatitives like the Belt and Road or the “16+1” format, China and Europe can build on their trade partnership to face common challenges like climate change.

An Indo-Pakistan conflict was prevented from turning into full blown war by China and other countries. However, the threat for future conflict between both countries lingers on.