In recent years, China and the US have stepped up efforts in boosting their bilateral relationship which, on the whole, maintains a good trend of stable development. Without any doubt, China and the US have differences and contradictions over some issues due to their different social systems, economic development levels and historical and cultural backgrounds. However, it is equally true that the two countries share extensive essential common interests, and for that matter, they should be and are in the position to develop a long-term and stable constructive and cooperative relationship.

　　In terms of political dialogue, high level contacts between China and the US are frequent and pronounced increases have been witnessed in dialogue and exchanges at various levels and in all fields between the two countries. With regard to economic and trade cooperation, China and the US have smoothed out the new round of economic and trade disputes and moved one more rung up the ladder of mutual benefit and a win-win situation. As for the military exchanges, the two armed forces have experienced incremental mounting exchanges and furthered mutual understanding and trust.

　　The state visit President Hu Jintao will soon make to the US will beyond any doubt catapult the Sino-US relations to a new high level.

　　The fresh and vital progress made in the Sino-US relationship is attributable to the concerted efforts of both parties. There is no denying that the American positive tuning of its China policy plays a pivotal role too. Moreover, the peaceful development strategy of China has won popular support, which drives the US to reconsider and renew its mentality and policies toward China.

　　A recent survey done in the US shows that the Americans who consider China a "major threat" has dropped to 16% from the 32% recorded five years ago. And only 1% of Americans think "coping with the rising China is the most important international challenge that the US faces". These figures reflect objectively the public opinion basis for the two countries to properly handle the bilateral relations with a more positive and pragmatic approach.

　　As the largest developing country and the largest developed country respectively, China and the US bear the important obligations to safeguarding the peace, security and prosperity of the world, especially that of the Asia/Pacific region. Today, the interests of all nations are intertwined and the nature of their interdependence has deepened. Under such a backdrop, the common interests between China and the US have swelled, instead of trickling down. The foundation for cooperation of China and the US has been further reinforced instead of being eroded and the importance of the Sino-US relations has been increasingly highlighted instead of being downgraded. For the two major powers, it is quite natural for some setbacks and twists and turns to pop up in the process of developing their relations. However, generally speaking, to enhance dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation, to take into consideration of each other's concern, and to properly handle the disputes between the two countries stand for the mainstream of the Sino-US relationship. Only by sticking to this direction and continuously promoting the development of the constructive and cooperative relations between China and the US, can we better benefit the people of the two nations and the peoples of the world.

　　By Yin Chengde

　　(Apr. 18, PLA Daily)