In the past six years, Washington and Manila have been cementing a military alliance, which is reassuring to many Filipinos but leaves some apprehensive – including the leading presidential contenders. Dr. Steinbcok poses that true hedging would seek security benefits from the U.S. defense umbrella; economic returns from trade and investment with China; and political advantages from cooperation with both nations.

President Obama has embraced the rise of a strong and peaceful China as an asset in the new world order, and both politicians and academics need to do more to promote more cooperation and reduce the fear-mongering.

Summits and other meetings can’t resolve all differences, but they help to contain disputes: Even on the issue of South China Sea, the Chinese and US presidents have been able to exchange their views frankly over China’s reclamation and prevention of militarization in the area. As China is increasingly indispensable to contribute to global governance, such exchanges help Beijing’s voice to be better heard.

A new survey conducted by the Committee of 100 (C-100) underscores that Americans view cooperation between the two countries as critical and recognize the benefits of increased trade and investment. Americans are, however, skeptical of China’s economic, military, and political intentions.

As the White House said, the U.S. president’s Cuba policy “now allows us to more effectively improve the lives of the Cuban people, advance our interests and values, and build broader ties of cooperation across the Americas”. It’s a U.S. policy reversal that also serves to cement American influence across the region.

Despite US jitters about China’s rise, Beijing and Washington should build a partnership along the lines of what President Xi Jinping calls a “new type of major-country relationship” – no clash, no confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win through cooperation.

China will use its presidency to focus on growth and guide international economic cooperation, and promote the new foreign policy concepts Beijing has adopted in recent years such as “win-win cooperation”, “a new model of major-country relationship” and “a global community of shared future” – all aimed at creating a better future for the world.

In mid-March, Mainland China and the Gambia re-opened official links that had been severed since 1995 when the Gambia recognized the Republic of China (Taiwan) instead of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). China will have undoubted leverage for boosting the Gambia’s economic growth.

The process of globalization has dramatically transformed state-to-state relations at regional levels: As bonds of community of interest are being formulated on greater scales, cooperation will become essential for coexistence in the future. China-US cooperation in the construction of regional order for the Asia-Pacific is not only in their fundamental interests, but also the two major countries’ historical responsibility for the area.

While international media focuses on Brazil’s mass demonstrations against corruption, efforts behind the façade precipitate regime change, restoration of a pre-Lula order, and a struggle against the BRICS nations. The U.S. feels threatened by an era of multipolarity, which deeply implicates China, and other emerging economies.