Optimists of China-U.S. ties were given another shot of confidence as an annual strategic and economic dialogue wrapped Tuesday.
Along with the seventh China-U.S. High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange, the dialogue showed the world that bilateral relations were not all doom and gloom.
In recent years, China and the United States have been working to enhance their strategic trust, which is integral to building a "new type of major power relationship."
From record bilateral trade volume to heightened cooperation in areas including climate change, the Internet, the armed forces and law enforcement, the spectrum of China-U.S. relations has expanded, to the benefit of both sides.
If anything can be drawn from these improvements, it is that both sides are adhering to the principles of avoiding conflict and confrontation, and valuing mutual respect and win-win cooperation.
This year is important for both countries as the United States is holding presidential elections and China is to host the G20 summit.
Standing at a crucial juncture for bilateral relations, the two sides should put things in perspective, instead of reacting to shortsighted whims.
It is vital for the people of both countries to believe that friendship and cooperation between the two sides are irrevocable.
The fact that five million people traveled between the two nations in 2015, an increase of some 16 percent from the year before, indicates that burgeoning people-to-people exchanges are a good foundation for lasting friendly relations.
As the world's largest economies, there are good reasons for China and the United States to further their communication and coordination.
In addition to continued cooperation in fields including anti-terrorism and nonproliferation, the two sides should strengthen coordination on their macroeconomic polices, jointly work toward positive outcomes at the G20 Hangzhou summit, and agree upon a reciprocal bilateral investment treaty.
Meanwhile, the two nations must address their differences and handle sensitive issues appropriately.
China-U.S. ties are complicated. Just days ago, at the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore, delegates from the two nations exchanged barbs over the South China Sea.
True, there are still issues disturbing China and U.S. relations. However, if these differences are magnified, confidence in the future of bilateral relations will be undermined.
Only by constantly augmenting the areas of cooperation and pursuing consensus can China-U.S. ties move in a positive direction.
According to its 13th Five-Year Plan, China is eying an average annual growth rate of no less than 6.5 percent over the 2016 to 2020 period, as it pushed to build a "moderately prosperous society."
The period presents huge opportunities for cooperation not only for the U.S. but also for other countries across the globe.
