US intelligence exaggerates the threat they pose.

This goes beyond more than just trade.

The West should not overreact to China’s influence operations, nor sacrifice the openness that is a source of their strength.

A chorus of anti-China voices is rising across the US, a mix of disappointed ideologues, disgruntled stakeholders, unyielding populists, and those who enjoy a good fight and want to join the pack. But the tenor of the times is such that many of the same academics, and diplomats who once could be counted on to bridge the diplomatic gap have cut the conversation short and battened down the hatches.

Shinzo Abe will reduce tensions if he can but the Asian superpower is a potent threat.

Despite bipartisan support for a tough line against China in the U.S., there remain significant points of disagreement.

The developments in the South China Sea carry far-reaching strategic implications for the Indo-Pacific and for the international maritime order. They also highlight that the biggest threat to maritime peace and security comes from unilateralism.

Looking at the positive side of China-U.S. relations will enhance expectations for peace and stability. China and the U.S. share tremendous common interests and responsibility in maintaining economic prosperity and transnational security across the region. Talking about cooperation will deliver friendship and partnership while talking about conflicts will really create enemies.

The two countries are not rushing toward collision but thriving on forward-moving, parallel tracks. That’s been the record for more than 30 years, despite fretful narratives of potential conflict.

Their economies have never been more interdependent, and many global and regional key issues hinge on their collaboration. Simply put, the two powers just cannot afford to head into a zero-sum game due to their increasing convergence of interests.