China has achieved great success since the launch of Reform and Opening up. Some international analysis agencies even predict that China's GDP will surpass that of the US in the middle of this century. There is a view that the Obama government's "Asia Pacific rebalancing" strategy is intended to restrict and control China's development by increasing military power in Asia, as is the trans-pacific strategic economic partnership agreement. However, the US has to face the reality of the rapid development of China.

Some people describe the relationship between China and US in terms of the "Thucydides trap" .But as a matter of fact, there is no need for US to fear China. GDP is not the only factor to measure the overall situation of a country. Compared with the US, China is still inferior in military and technology. Besides, should either country take extreme measures, it will lead to unimaginable consequences. If the US treats China as a friend, then the US will also be a powerful friend of China; while if US take China as an enemy, then it will invitet the same treatment in return.

China has achieved considerable success in peaceful development. In the 1990s during the Asian financial crisis, China provided a lot of help for neighboring countries, and AFTA ( ASEAN Free Trade Area ) came to realization afterwards based on the friendly relationship China built with its neighbors. China is in need of a peaceful international environment to develop its economy, and development is its No.1 mission. Avoiding direct conflict and solving the South China Sea problem in a peaceful way accords with Chinese policies of peaceful development, and is beneficial for both sides.

There are positivie reasons to believe that China and the US will not find themselves in direct conflict. First of all, nuclear weapons were the main reason for the US and Russia avoiding direct hostilities during the Cold War. Secondly, the close trade relations between the US and China are an important factor that did not feature in the relationship between the US and Russia. The third reason lies in the ideologies of both countries. As distinct from Russia, China agrees that each country should find its own path to economic development based on its own conditions. Lastly, the two World Wars of the 20th century have taught every country a painful lesson: whoever starts a war will end up suffering.

China and the US should continue with their efforts to build a new relationship with rational minds and intelligent politics. A new relationship between China and US is very much required in the worldd of the 21st century.

This article is edited and translated from 《世界需要中美新型大国关系》，source: People's Daily