File photo: China US

With the New Year just around the corner, a new journey is about to begin for all of us and for the China-US relationship. President-elect Donald Trump is returning to the White House, and the China-US relationship has entered a transitional period closely watched by the world with both concern and expectation. 

No wonder when Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President Joe Biden in Lima, Peru in November, the whole world looked intently for indications as to how the two countries would navigate their relationship through the remaining days of the Biden administration, and how China would steer its course in a second Trump term.
The following takeaways from the meeting deserve serious thought. 

History is a mirror

Relations between China and the US are stable on the whole, but danger has been building up, as more China hawks are given prominent leadership roles in Washington and more are expected in the incoming administration.

At the meeting with President Biden in Lima, President Xi listed seven experiences and inspirations that the two countries should draw from the course of their relations: adopting a correct strategic perception of each other, matching words with actions, treating each other as equals, not challenging red lines and paramount principles, having more dialogue and cooperation, responding to the people's expectations, and shouldering the responsibilities of major countries. 

These are a sum-up of past experience and lessons. As an old Chinese saying goes, "From the mirror we learn about ourselves; from the past we learn about the future." History is a mirror. The past of China-US relationship has proven that seeking common ground while shelving differences, China and the US can be a plus for each other and the whole world.

Working together, the two countries have achieved a great deal, from jointly countering terrorism and helping the world navigate the global financial crisis to stemming the spread of Ebola in Western Africa and advancing global climate action. Like the golden threads in a tapestry, these efforts contribute to the best aspects of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, making the world a better place.

History also serves as a stark reminder of how antagonism can hurt both sides. A case in point is the US tariff war on China. As statistics have shown, it fueled US inflation and made US consumers foot the bill. It takes two to tango.

President Xi reaffirmed at the Lima meeting China's goal of a steady, healthy and sustainable China-US relationship, its commitment to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation as principles for handling the relations, its position of resolutely safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and development interests, and its desire to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two peoples. China's message is clear: No matter which political party takes the helm in the US, China's US policy will be consistent and above board. 

It is normal that countries have disagreements and competition. The key is how to manage them and steer bilateral relationship to mutual success. Subjugation of one by the other is the wrong way to go.

From the Bali common understandings, to the San Francisco vision, and the Lima review of experience, China has been acting in good faith to protect its relationship with the US from headwinds. 

In contrast, the US government has named China "America's most consequential geopolitical challenge" in its National Security Strategy, and slapped numerous sanctions and restrictions on Chinese companies and individuals, citing various excuses.

US officials have repeatedly said that US-China relations are "arguably the most complex and consequential relationship of any in the world." As such, both sides should work in the same direction to keep relations on the right track. The US has yet to meet China on the same path. 

As the planet gets warmer and becomes more prone to conflicts, the journey ahead will be long and bumpy. Cooperation is the best way forward for China and the US in this world of change and disorder. Graham Allison, a professor at Harvard Kennedy School, once described the two countries as "inseparable, conjoined Siamese twins." He explained that if "one strangled the other, it would be committing suicide at the same time." Antony Blinken and Jake Sullivan, the two top US diplomats, also acknowledged that the two countries live on the same planet, and should "work together" to find a way to achieve peaceful coexistence. 

Sometimes it is necessary to look back in order to move forward from a better position. President Xi's message at the Lima meeting is important for any US administration. With the Pacific spanning nearly half the length of the Equator, it is big enough for China and the US to live side by side peacefully. The US should give this serious thought and make the choice for its own good and for the greater good of the larger world.

The author is a commentator on international affairs, writing regularly for Xinhua News Agency, Global Times, China Daily, CGTN etc. He can be reached at xinping604@gmail.com. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn