China and the U.S. share misguided illusions of the other that remain unproductive and even dangerous. Both governments must strive to see each other clearly and cooperate in the face of increasing public hostility.

The perception of righteous values and a sense of inflated confidence is hurting relations between the U.S. and China.

When it comes to participation in international organizations, the objectives of the major powers are not entirely clear. Will there be competition for influence or can China and the United States develop opportunities for cooperation? Only the latter will promote a healthy model of global governance.

The key to correcting misunderstandings is more exchanges and cooperation between provinces, states, cities, enterprises and nonprofit organizations. We should strive to understand each other’s systems and policies.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s suggestion that issues in relations with China should be categorized according to their sensitivity is unrealistic. Yet progress was made at the Anchorage dialogue, including agreement that cooperation is necessary to address global challenges and that the focus ought to be on healthy competition.

U.S. strategy seeks to keep other countries permanently subordinate and backward, while many — including China and Russia — aspire to an equitable and just world order with peaceful development.

Despite a confrontational summit in Alaska, the U.S. and China lack the military appetite for a new “Cold War.” The reality is both sides have more to lose from a direct confrontation then they could gain.

A meeting in Anchorage, representing the midway point between the U.S. and China, was nothing close to a middle ground for either country. Without a productive agenda that includes compromises, the two great powers are not going to be able to cooperate.

Although the Biden administration’s approach to strategic competition is quite different from the Trump administration’s, it does not necessarily follow that China–U.S. relations will stabilize and improve.

The deterioration of China-U.S. relations has not ended, and a turnaround is unlikely. Given the intense frictions of recent years, both countries have built up a fixed mindset about diplomatic strategy that has been incorporated in their domestic politics. Superb diplomatic skills will be needed to avert confrontation.