The U.S. secretary of state suggested subtly that democratization is still a U.S. strategic goal with regard to China, as well as securing American leadership in technology. All in all, the policies of the Biden administration differ little from those of Donald Trump.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's final days in power saw him apply pressure to Beijing on sensitive issues. It is likely that President Biden will expand and refine Donald Trump's China policy to include additional economic and humanitarian demands.

Australia is an outlier - its geography makes it a Pacific power, yet culturally, it is a part of the West. Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is poised to give a nuanced perspective on the rise of China - but will global leaders follow suit?

When China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, recently called for a reset of bilateral relations with the United States, a White House spokesperson replied that the US saw the relationship as one of strong competition that required a position of strength. It is clear that President Joe Biden’s administration is not simply reversing Trump’s policies.

China bashing has become a new form of political correctness in the United States. Despite Biden’s rhetoric, it's not clear that he can do away with Trump’s toxic legacy and rebuild the political and social basis of China-U.S. relations.

Confrontation can come from lack of understanding and a difference of emphasis. At bottom, the Chinese want to set up principles before trying to resolve specific problems, while the Americans are eager to address specifics before improving the relationship.

China is a tough country to comprehend – even for most Chinese. But much of what makes China enigmatic – its long history, vast and varied territory, huge and diverse population, complex politics, and massive, dynamic economy – also makes understanding the country important. For better or worse, what happens in China affects everyone.

A conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden on Feb. 11 offered hope of a healthy, renewed relationship built on patterns established over many decades. The two countries have always found a way to move forward, despite occasional setbacks.

Infamous for his ignorance of climate science, Donald Trump began to dismantle Barack Obama’s climate legacy soon after he took office in 2017. The newly elected president, Joe Biden, wants to restore the teamwork, but it’s a politically tricky proposition.

Europe finds itself in a dilemma as the United States seeks to enlist its help. It is reluctant to fully engage, as America wishes, in the major power competition because Europe’s rival in that case happens to also be its economic partner.