Chinese and Americans should not be surprised by our divergent approaches to both bilateral and global issues. The key to success is to seek common ground while tolerating differences in a partnership committed to peace and a new world order. Sometimes we ought to stand in the other’s shoes and take a more balanced view of the issues we both face.

For most of his administration, Obama’s foreign policy followed the disastrous course left by his predecessor combined with his desire to offend the least number of his Congressional critics. George Koo provides four suggestions for Obama to make a positive course correction.

Even on controversial issues, cooperation—instead of confrontation—is key to finding solutions.

Some scholars say the much-talked-about New Model of Major-Country Relationship is being discarded before it even gets off the drawing board. But at the upcoming Xi-Obama meeting, common interests will stimulate common values, and strengthen the willingness to sail in the same ship.

Those who seek refuge in the US have been a thorn in Sino-American relations, and progress on a treaty replacing the case-by-case handling of such issues would be a welcome breakthrough when the leaders of the two countries meet next month. A current case linked to the corruption probe of a family member, however, shows how complicated the issue can be, and transparent handling would help set bilateral ties on a more predictable path.

This election cycle will likely bring out U.S. politicians from both sides of the aisle to blame China for U.S. economic woes. However, as China greatly increases its outbound investment, it would be a missed opportunity to not engage economically.

Despite tensions in the South China Sea, Chinese General Fan Changlong is in the United States, being hosted by the Pentagon. Mil-to-mil exchanges been taking place since the mid-1990’s, despite opposition from U.S. congressional war hawks and Chinese hardliners. To build political support for productive U.S.-China mil-to-mil exchanges, such programs will have to produce real results, and soon.

President Xi Jinping will visit Washington D.C. in September, providing an essential opportunity for the two leaders to openly discuss bilateral relations, investment, and global issues. David Shambaugh calls on Chinese leaders to engage in action over slogans, and for each side to share their perceptions of the strategic intentions of the other; false perceptions must be discussed and refuted in order to reinvigorate mutual trust.

Newly adopted climate mitigations have caused China’s coal and electricity consumption to fall the first time this century. Coal and heavy industries were the most targeted sectors, which has led to more demand from unconventional oil extraction – extraction that could have unintended negative consequences.

The recent announcement in Washington and Beijing that Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to the United States in September underscores the continuing momentum in the improvement of bilateral relations. Potential conversation points could be climate change, territorial disputes, and ISIS.