Commentary: China-U.S. common role, shared interests unchanged (2)

Relations between China and the U.S are apparently one of the most important in the world and have a far-reaching effect on the world order.

The Chinese believe Obama's re-election ensures the continuity of U.S. policy toward China, and offers an opportunity to further improve bilateral ties after four years of increased cooperation, exchanges and contention.

Maintaining sound and stable development of Sino-U.S. relations is in the fundamental interests of both their people and conducive to the peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific, and the world at large, according to Chinese leader Hu Jintao as he congratulated Obama on his re-election last week.

Hu said China is willing to work with the U.S. and further progress bilateral relations for the greater benefit of Chinese and American people, as well as people around the whole world.

The world is watching whether Obama's administration, in its second term, will take a more balanced or confrontational approach toward the relationship with China, which was described by Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell as the "most consequential" of the next decade.

In today's globalized world, the two biggest economies are highly interdependent, which gives a strong grounding for China-U.S. relations. Despite trade rows and disagreements over currency exchange rates, intellectual property rights infringement and a variety of other issues, both sides are determined in finding, through consultation, solutions to their mutual interests.

Cooperation between the two countries, meanwhile, can help the international community to maintain world order and face up to common challenges like terrorism, climate change, economic turbulence, among others.

As U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke said, "The world is looking for leadership from the U.S. and China. Fifty years from now we want the history books to describe our great accomplishments together and not that we failed to act."

Peace and development remain the theme of our times. There might be uncertainties faced by the two countries, the dynamics in their relations remain unchanged. The same is true of their common role and shared interests.