Strategic wisdom works

From left: Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, vice-premiers Wang Yang and Liu Yandong, and US Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew participate in a group photo at the Strategic and Economic Dialogue at the State Department in Washington on Tuesday. YURI GRIPAS/REUTERS

The Sino-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue, whose seventh round was concluded in Washington on Wednesday, has long been viewed as one of the most important mechanisms for the two countries to conduct regular communication, address problems in their relations and reach consensus.

This year's event acquired particular importance because of the strained security situation in the South China Sea. But it is believed that China and the United States, based on their ever-deepening interdependence, can ease misgivings and enhance mutual trust over their strategic intentions and development directions through the S&ED and other institutionalized dialogues.

The reason Sino-US relations could shift from confrontation to reconciliation in the late 1970s lies in the fact that the two countries were able to ignore their historical differences and free themselves from their institutional and ideological stances. Basing their ties on realistic national and international conditions they were able to seek areas for cooperation. Such strategic wisdom and courage to break away from their established mindsets and practices set a good example for international relations.

Since then, Sino-US collaboration has become more important than ever. Hence, how to avoid a conflict, which some perceive as inevitable between an established power and an emerging power, poses a key challenge for the US and China. The leaders of the two countries need to demonstrate their wisdom and make joint efforts to ensure the two powers avoid the Thucydides Trap. This will also be a key factor in forging the future international order.

China and the US should expand cooperation and seek win-win results, as a way of continuously injecting fresh vitality into their ties. They should also try to rein in their divergences and frictions to enhance mutual understanding and trust.

The above is an abridgement of a People's Daily article published on Wednesday.