The resumption of talks between China and the United States should be characterized by efficiency and high quality. After many negative twists and turns in recent years, the relationship will eventually find a new model that has not been seen before.

American foreign policy tends to oscillate between inward and outward orientations. President George W. Bush was an interventionist; his successor, Barack Obama, less so. And Donald Trump was mostly non-interventionist. What should we expect from Joe Biden?

As the United States prepares for a radical course-correction on climate change, China is raising its game. Climate action has become yet another front in the competition between the world’s two largest economies. Who will cross the net-zero-emissions finish line first?

The common development and interdependence that both countries have cultivated over the years is actually a kind of positive energy and good fortune for the world.

Stabilizing U.S.-China relations remains one of the top items on President-elect Biden’s agenda for 2021, but in order to do so mutual trust and cooperation must be restored. The incoming administration should seek to revive cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchange in order to repair the years’ worth of structural damage.

While pursuing cautious containment, the U.S. will want to avoid major military frictions. Biden may re-emphasize the role of military exchanges with China, which will create opportunities for military dialogue and exchanges at all levels.

The incoming Biden administration has every incentive to repair relations with China, but the biggest obstacle, more so than Trump’s actions or public opinion, may be Biden’s own election cycle rhetoric.

While we wait for the Biden administration to transition into office, there are several steps Beijing should take to encourage a more productive relationship between the two governments.

The new U.S. president will adjust the country’s China policy, but the general approach — which reflects the mainstream views of American voters — is not likely to change. What will change is the manner in which U.S. policy is carried out, and here there is uncertainty.

The future of China-U.S. relations obviously depends on the two countries’ respective choices. The good news is that a window of opportunity is now open to create a new approach after years of turmoil driven by the Trump administration.