China also needs to carefully and smartly deal with issues on the sea. The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) set a goal of building China into a maritime power. The goal, which conforms to China's peaceful development path while rejecting maritime hegemony, calls for strengthened marine cooperation. Regarding its maritime disputes with neighboring nations, China's best choice should be peacefully solving these disputes through consultations and negotiations.

Maintaining the stable development of China-U.S. relations is necessary for China to manage Washington's Asia-Pacific strategic adjustment. Although the United States isn't as powerful as it once was, it is still too early to say that the nation is on the decline from its zenith as the only superpower in the world. Currently, the United States cannot shake the foundation of China's development, but it can surely raise the cost. The United States is the main rival of China's rise, but it also is a major partner in fields concerning development and security.

China and the United States share the most important bilateral relationship in today's world. A stable, predictable relationship is a common need of China and the United States, as well as most other countries in the Asia-Pacific. A growing China will inevitably become a competitor to the United States in various fields, but as long as their competition is positive, it won't damage the reciprocal and win-win pattern between them; it may also serve as a motivator for promoting the healthy development of the whole Asia-Pacific region.

China and the United States can make the most of their respective advantages to support regional cooperation while helping other countries in the region improve their development capability.

The two sides should minimize the possibility of future direct collisions at sea, and continue deeper and more pragmatic communication to keep differences under control and reduce misunderstanding. The excuse given by the United States to get involved in South China Sea affairs is its concern about navigation freedom and safety. This stems from Washington's anxiety that China might conduct "area denial" if it were to have complete control over South China Sea waters. China must therefore make it clear to the United States that it will not behave like Japan before and during World War II, to show that Washington's suspicion is unjustified. It will be very dangerous if Washington creates real friction based on an incorrect assumption.

Proper handling of the China-Japan relationship is a test China must pass to launch its marine strategy and become a mature power. The United States has been using its alliance with Japan as the cornerstone of its Asia-Pacific strategy since the end of World War II. China must make necessary gestures when dealing with Japan, so as to tell Washington two facts: China is in a position to shape the direction of the China-Japan relationship, and the relationship is at the center of Washington's Asia-Pacific strategy. It is therefore impossible for Washington to pursue its Asia-Pacific agenda by keeping a balance between China and Japan. Japan should be a supporting point instead of a trouble spot in the interaction between China and the United States.

Washington's strategic adjustment, which combines its Pacific strategy and Indian Ocean strategy, entrusts India as another important figure. China is sure that the China-India strategic partnership will operate as smoothly as before. India, in the meantime, will not heed all of Washington's demands as it seeks to fulfill its own dream of becoming a global power.

Australia has been in an awkward position as it hedges on both China and the United States in recent years. Insisting on the principles of mutual respect and cooperation, China can positively develop its relationship with Australia and convince it that a U.S. ally can also be a partner of China. This has been proved throughout the history of China-Australia relations, and will continue to be so.

China's development depends on its own efforts, rather than what the United States has done. The U.S. Asia-Pacific strategic adjustment will definitely continue through Obama's second term, but it will not alter China's path of development. During a visit to the United States in February 2012 as Chinese vice president, Xi Jinping, now General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and expected to assume the presidency in March, pointed out that the wide Pacific Ocean has ample space to hold both the great powers of China and the United States. History will turn his prophecy into a reality.

The author is an op-ed contributor to Beijing Review

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