A peaceful relationship between China and the United States will make both winners, whereas a confrontational one will make both losers, a senior scholar said.

"The two countries should seize opportunities and dedicate themselves to helping sustain global peace, stability, and development," Xu Bu, President of the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), said at a press conference on March 12, several days ahead of the much-anticipated China-U.S. high-level strategic dialogue.

At the invitation of the U.S., Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will participate in the strategic dialogue with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 18 and 19.

The gathering had invited a group of top experts in the field of international studies to share their thoughts and comments on the relationship between China and the world. Of special significance to the panel were the China and U.S. affairs.

Xu stressed that in today's globalized world, nations are much more connected than ever before. Consequently, joining hands in the face of difficulty has become the best choice. "If we opt to engage in dispute and conflict, we are bound to repeat the mistakes of the past," he added.

During a Q&A session, Xu further emphasized that it is of the utmost importance that China insists on maintaining a strategic focus, and enhancing the mutual flow of communication with the U.S.

Jia Qingguo, former Dean of Peking University's School of International Studies, recommended restarting and increasing dialogues between both countries on different levels.

Jia explained why President Joe Biden went hard on China when he first assumed office. Biden needed the U.S. Senate to pass his $1.9 trillion relief bill on the condition that the Democratic Party only takes up 50 percent of Senate membership.

Against this particular backdrop, going hard on China was Biden's only option, Jia said, acknowledging the existing uncertainties in the bilateral ties, the lack of trust between China and the U.S. is palpable, and voices opposing China remain loud in the U.S.

Jia said China had made it clear that a healthy development of China-U.S. relations falls in line with the principles of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation. The time has now come for the U.S. to re-engage.

Chen Dongxiao, President of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, suggested that China should enhance its engagement with the U.S., be it between leaders, local governments, businesses, or the academia.

"With much effort spent on comparing notes, we will be able to prevent strategic miscalculations and avoid possible military conflicts," Chen said.

At the conference, the CIIS blue book on International Situation and China's Foreign Affairs (2020/2021) was released. The book, explaining China's policies on international issues, is available across major online stores in China and will be published in English and Russian, catering to a more international readership.

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

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