Over three administrations by both the Democratic and Republican parties, the S&ED has helped China and the US to pursue a new model of major-country relationship, and its effectiveness should be cherished by both sides. After the presidential elections this year, it will be critically important to guarantee a smooth development of China-US relations.

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.

On 19 March, when attending the China Development Forum 2016 at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, former State Councilor Dai Bingguo had a dialogue with former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger on the issue of avoiding the "Thucydides Trap".

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.

The official American statement on adhering to one-China principle and hope for peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits helped mitigate suspicions in China and further testified to the US strategic plan to compete with China mainly in the economic field. This will help the two countries to sustain competitive cooperation and for China to readjust and reform its domestic policies.

The US will not change its Janus-faced policy of engagement and containment. But the fundamentals that buoy steadily developing China-US ties will not change, because they embody the fundamental needs of the development of both countries, and the trend of world history.

With no real threat to America’s position in the world, Beijing and Washington need to intensify their efforts to build trust and promote understanding. The best way to achieve that is to expand exchanges at all levels of society, a process that has been a triumph of diplomacy ever since a famous ping-pong game made headlines in 1970.

China-US cooperation is the critical factor for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Regaining and maintaining security in the area is the common interest and common responsibility of both nations, and that is the basis of President Xi Jinping’s fresh approach.

As the two countries pursue a new major-power relationship, and China focuses on eliminating poverty for its citizens, there is more reason than ever for cooperation and easing mistrust. President Xi’s visit to the US was a herald for an expanding partnership, and issues like the South China Sea and third-party naysaying should not be allowed to disrupt relations.

Global developments have led China to take a more proactive approach in dealing with international issues in 2015 that saw China transition to practicing “major-country” diplomacy. As U.S.-China relations are turning more contentious and competitive, the two countries must seek convergence of common interests and avoid conflict and confrontation.