Alternatively quoting or denouncing Thucydides is becoming an integral part of U.S.-China discourse. Jared McKinney argues that we should look at what Thucydides actually had to say: power transitions do not make war inevitable, and other variables—such as contests for honor and competing alliance systems—matter just as much.

The relationship between a rising power and an established power has always been a complicated one. Since the 16th century, there have been four major cases of rising powers interacting with established world powers – all resulting in conflict. However, during the recent state visit by Xi Jinping to the United States, both countries eagerness to seek cooperation was on full display.

Chinese and Americans should not be surprised by our divergent approaches to both bilateral and global issues. The key to success is to seek common ground while tolerating differences in a partnership committed to peace and a new world order. Sometimes we ought to stand in the other’s shoes and take a more balanced view of the issues we both face.

The Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. carries deep symbolism, both in the U.S. political heritage, and classical Greek aesthetics. Vasilis Trigkas proposes that this monument be a site for President Xi and Obama to deliver an alternative narrative for China-U.S. relations.

China hopes to build a new model of big power relations with the US featuring non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutually beneficial cooperation, and mutual accommodation of each other's core interests. The aim is to gradually make the uncomfortable interdependent relations more comfortable.

The desire for peace, mutual respect, and economic cooperation is already winning the hearts and minds of everyday people on both sides of the Pacific. Their voices may seldom make the headlines, but they are a critical foundation of this important relationship.

A major piece in the most recent weekend edition of the Wall Street Journal points out that it’s time to rethink about the U.S. relations with China. This thought provoking article is extremely timely and the issues raised are critical to the future of both countries.

While Washington has mixed feelings toward China’s rising international status, many American scholars see no convincing reasons for the United States not to support or participate in China’s initiatives like the modern Silk Road and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. That’s a good omen for the concept of “a new type of major country relations,” as proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, to avoid confrontation between big powers and to blaze a new trail of mutually beneficial cooperation.

As China’s economy and interests continue to grow, Beijing will uphold its sovereignty, security and development interests and will assume a bigger role in regional and global affairs. President Xi’s upcoming visit is another opportunity for Americans to appreciate that China’s actions are targeted at the US and its allies.

Policymakers in the United States, China, and other Asian powers must choose whether to deal forthrightly and sensibly with the changing regional power distribution or avoid the hard decisions that China’s rise poses until the situation grows ever more polarized and dangerous.