For example, a rotational deployment of 2,500 US Marines in Australia was viewed by China as a strengthening of the US' alliance with Japan in the face of the escalating tensions over the Diaoyu Islands, even though it was billed as a sign of closer security cooperation between the US and Australia.

Throughout 2012, the China-US relationship soured not only in the military and security fields. With the excuse they were a potential threat to national security, proposed Chinese investments in the US, by companies such as ZTE, Huawei and Sany, were dismissed by the Obama administration and Congress. Chinese turbine and photovoltaic producers also experienced anti-dumping and countervailing trade relief investigations. Most recently, the so-called Chinese cyber threat has started affecting bilateral trade, with federal agencies forbidden from purchasing high-tech products made by "Chinese government related companies".

Nevertheless, with Obama in a stronger position at home now he has been re-elected for a second term and a new leadership in office in China, the two countries have an opportunity to "reset" their relationship.

Recent communication between President Xi Jinping and Obama sent the message that the door is open for greater engagement and deeper interaction. High-level exchanges are just a warm-up for the upcoming Strategic and Economic Dialogue, which is likely to be in Washington D.C. in June. It is also widely reported that, for the first time, China has accepted a US invitation to participate in joint military excises in the Asia-Pacific.

With political, economic, military and security links being comprehensively formed and pushed forward, Sino-US relations should advance and result in major achievements. Both sides should understand that only through comprehensive, deeper and sustainable exchanges at all levels, can mutual respect and understanding and trust be reached, peaceful coexistence and co-development be achieved, and a new type of relations between the big powers be built.

The author is Associate Research Fellow with China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. www.chinausfocus.com

(China Daily 04/16/2013 page8)