Reset the US-China relationship

On the strategic side, the presidents should commit to increase military-to-military dialogues, joint search and rescue operations, and joint initiatives in the anti-piracy and anti-terrorism sectors. We should urge our allies in East Asia, including Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam, to put aside their differences and pursue agreements with China to jointly develop disputed territories. China has settled virtually all of its land border issues with its neighbors on terms that the international community views as fair, and this precedent ought to extend to disputed maritime areas. Most importantly, we should acknowledge the remarkable progress made in cross-Strait relations and encourage both sides to reach a Peace Agreement which provides for Taiwan's security.

When he speaks to the Chinese people, President Obama needs to remind them that America did not become the land of liberty and equal protection under the law by historical accident. He should say that we understand that all societies have different histories, different cultural values, and different solutions to their needs, but that we support a prosperous China based on the rule of law and that treats its people fairly. President Xi should focus on China's progress in human rights in the last 33 years and acknowledge that China still has a ways to go. He might, in fact, use one of President Obama's favorite quotes from Martin Luther King: " 'The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice,' and that is what will happen during my term as president of China."

When President Obama took office, I urged him to go to China early and often. On the eve of his second term, I repeat that advice, believing that person-to-person exchange and feet-on-the-ground experience can be transformative. He now has an historic opportunity to make China a true partner with the United States and to redefine the most important bilateral relationship in the world in a way that will enhance peace and prosperity in the United States, China, and the world.

Stephen A. Orlins is the President of the National Committee on US-China Relations. The views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Committee on US-China Relations. Source: www.chinausfocus.com

( An earlier version of the article was printed in error and contained unauthorized changes in the author's text. The full article appears here.)