In his recent address to the US Congress, President Joe Biden warned that China is deadly serious about trying to become the world’s most significant power. But Biden also declared that autocrats will not win the future; America will. If mishandled, the US-China great-power competition could be dangerous. But if the United States plays it right, the rivalry with China could be healthy.

The United States needs to reconsider its approach, because what it’s doing now is not working. The key to rebuilding trust and resuming effective communication between the two countries is rejection of the rivalry mentality.

The Biden administration is making their policy toward China clear as they maintain a position emphasizing democratic values and alliances. In contrast to the previous administration, Biden also recognizes the need to invest at home in order to remain competitive with China.

After a 40 plus year run, the U.S.-China relationship has come to the proverbial fork in the road. Which way will America go?

For the sake of the shared interests of the human family, the U.S. needs to join hands with China and other countries for global governance and deal with urgent challenges, including the suppression of the COVID-19 pandemic and a reinvigoration of the world economy.

The ball is now in America’s court. The choices the U.S. makes for itself are critical. We should be patient as we wait to find out whether or not the Biden administration can make a historic decision for the good of human civilization.

China-U.S. relations should not be defined by vicious strategic competition but rather by a nurturing of mutual trust. The greatest obstacle is presented by China hawks in U.S. strategic circles who want to hijack American policy and prevent Biden from breaking away from Trumpism.

In a recent poll the new U.S. president’s approval among American adults was 59 percent. But on the diplomatic front, and especially on China policy, the administration’s performance has not only been mediocre but is laden with escalating risks of confrontation.

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.

Eminent scholar on East Asia, who played an early role in laying the groundwork for reconciliation between China and the United States, died in December at age 90. But the ideas expounded in his writings continue to foster understanding.