The US’s self-proclaimed “American Century” has led Washington to assume that it “had the right or responsibility to order the world’s affairs,” two prominent American scholars, which has resulted in a series of military failed adventures that could never have resolved enormously complex issues. As the US presidential election approaches, a reality check is in order.

Whether the world’s nations can adjust to changes and to work with instead of working against the new arrivals on the world stage is going to be a major test. China has chosen to integrate itself into the international order, and has greatly benefited from being part of it, so China should be seen as a partner, not a competitor.

Events commemorating the 70th anniversary of victory will be opportunities for China to demonstrate its determination to safeguard peace and promote development in the world, unswervingly pursue peaceful development and strengthen mutual trust with wartime allies, including the US.

Mutual trust is essential for candid exchanges and sincere collaboration. This is an indispensable precondition for China and the U.S. to formulate a new-type major-country relationship and take advantage of historical opportunities such as President Xi’s upcoming U.S. visit.

Contrary to America’s desire to impose universal values on the rest of the world, China’s nationalism does not inform or direct its foreign policy. This is exemplified by the institutional contrasts between the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and China’s Confucius Institutes.

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.

Full speech by Fu Ying, China’s NPC Chairwoman of Foreign Affairs Committee, at the University of Chicago on May 19. She talked about China’s growth and its experience with the evolving world order.

The 70th anniversary of WWII is a good time to reflect on global governance and progress in ending colonialism, while promoting peace. More nations need to observe the basic norms of the World Charter, the institutional structures must be adapted to new threats, and representation by smaller nations must be more equal.

Beijing’s celebration of the 70th anniversary of the end of world war is meant to project China as a peace-loving country determined to prevent such trauma from happening again. If the rise of China is the most important event in the 21 century, the message from the Tian’anmen Square parade is clear: The PLA can help to make the world a safer place.

China’s modernization and international engagement reflect a trend for our times, and serve the common interests of the world. To achieve common prosperity for all, China seeks a new system based on cooperation, not confrontation.