Standing at what President Xi Jinping calls a “historical new starting line”, China is deepening its involvement in G20 affairs and global governance. Despite geopolitical differences and divisions, major powers have been able to come together under the banner of the G20, with China playing a unifying role.

To solve the misperceptions the Philippines and China have toward the other’s intentions in the South China Sea, both sides should be more open to understanding the rationale of each other’s actions and behavior, commit to non-militarization of the disputed areas while refraining from using confrontational rhetoric, and not force each other’s red lines in public so as to avoid either party from losing face.

The two governments have been rather successful in managing their differences and avoiding possible crises, and they have the determination and the ability to continue safeguarding the overall China-US relationship. In the new normal, both sides need to direct their efforts at clearly explaining to their people the strategic intent of no conflict and no confrontation as well as their willingness to cooperate.

Has the Arbitral Tribunal decision on the South China Sea been misconstrued by main stream U.S. media? Don M. Tow explores the legality of the Permanent Court of Arbitration Ruling, as well as the geopolitical motivations behind it, concluding that the U.S. is responsible for creating unnecessary conflicts with China and destabilizing peace in Asia, as well as the whole world.

The death of President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan could engender major changes in the Sino-Russian relationship in Central Asia, despite Beijing and Moscow maintaining a harmonious, if not especially close, partnership in the region for years.

If the U.S. and China’s stated goals in both the G20 and the EAS hold true, Southeast Asian countries stand to benefit greatly. As is readily apparent in Myanmar, countries in the region no longer desire to be pawns in a geopolitical economic game, but rather collaborative partners to ensure fair benefits.

The China-US military relationship goes beyond its traditional bilateral boundary, and moves into regional and even global arenas. With the Chinese military extending its global reach, it finds more occasions to cooperate with its US counterpart, despite new frictions arising from China’s bilateral disputes with its neighbors, some of whom are U.S. allies. Crisis-prevention management and confidence-building measures have become important new elements in the relationship, crucial stabilizers even in the worst circumstances.

As Monday marked the end of the G20 conference, and what was likely President Obama’s last trip to China during his tenure as president, it is impossible not to look back at his relationship with China and its leaders over the past eight years.

A visit to China by Pentagon chief Ashton Carter could help increase mutual understanding, dispel some unnecessary misjudgments, and build more political trust between the two countries and their armed forces. For the sake of improving Sino-U.S. relations, the two sides should have grasped the opportunity rather than beating a retreat in the face of difficulties.

China and Russia will conduct a joint naval exercise codenamed Joint Sea 2016 in the South China Sea from Sept 12 to 19.