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.

Recent events have left an unsavory impression of China on most Americans, framing the conflict between the U.S. and its rival power as a zero sum game. By focusing only on overtaking China, the U.S. risks being left behind as China’s plans for expansion circumvent American influence.

There’s no evidence indicating that U.S.-China relations will turn for the better simply because Biden takes over the presidency. But the opposite is true as well: There is no reason to pass up an opportunity to ease tensions and strive for a reset.

U.S. President Donald Trump has suffered a decisive loss in his trade war with China. It is now in the interest of both countries to speedily resume trade and investment cooperation, cooperate to end the COVID-19 threat and implement the Paris climate accord.