Despite a chaotic and often pessimistic international and peripheral strategic environment for China, there are still potential positive opportunities available. China must refrain from rash, ill-advised reactions to a rapidly changing world and focus on a thoughtful international policy both near and abroad.

Realists tend to view the American 'pivot' back to the Asia Pacific as a move reminiscent of a cold war-style structural rebalancing of power. That's not the case, according to Christopher R. Hill, former US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

The global issues plaguing the 21st century cannot be resolved effectively without greater cooperation from China and the US, says Banning Garrett of the Atlantic Council.