Showing toughness

What also deserves mentioning is that Clinton's sharp words and deeds in promoting the export of U.S. values and the shift of the U.S. strategic focus to the Asia-Pacific region have brought much pain to Sino-U.S. relations. She became openly involved in the disputes between China and some ASEAN nations over the South China Sea as well as the development of water resources in the upper reaches of the Mekong River. She also warned some of China's neighboring countries not to get too close with China and criticized China's Middle East policy as standing on the wrong side of history. On several occasions, she implicitly denounced China's assistance to other developing countries in Asia and Africa.

Her toughness highlights the differences and conflicts between China and the United States over strategic and security issues. It has not only fostered anti-American sentiments in China, but also put U.S. allies in Asia in a dilemma. Clinton's Asia-Pacific diplomacy has received a mixed response in the United States. Americans who are committed to pursuing a more positive and constructive policy with China have expressed disapproval. When she declared the 21st century to be "America's Pacific century" and interpreted the U.S. global rebalancing as a "pivot to Asia," some in the U.S. media and think tanks commented that these misnomers could inflict strategic damage to the United States.

Chinese critics, for their part, have expressed strong opposition to Clinton's hard-line posture. During her visit to China in September 2012, an editorial in a Chinese newspaper labeled her as someone who has dramatically deepened suspicions between China and the United States. The stark contrast between the warm reception by Chinese officials and icy comments in the Chinese media mirrored the Clinton way of dealing with China and the reality of Sino-U.S. relations.

Exploring a future

For more than 40 years, the Sino-U.S. relationship has been moving forward steadily despite some twists and turns. We believe that both sides should refrain from constantly demonizing each other and handling their relationship emotionally. The fewer accusations from both sides, the better relations will be.

Senator John Kerry will succeed Clinton's position as the next U.S. secretary of state. Given his moderate, flexible and pragmatic style, some hold an optimistic attitude that Kerry will bring opportunities for the two countries. But we should know that the future of Sino-U.S. relations rests not on an individual, but on their common interests and joint willingness of the two nations to maintain world peace and prosperity.

History has entered a new stage wherein the next few years will be pivotal to both countries and their relationship. It will take more than a single president or secretary of state to determine whether the United States will view China with a peaceful, rational and inclusive attitude; rather, it must be a strategic choice made by the country to shape future relations with in-depth communication, candid dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation on an equal footing.

In the next four years, Kerry will need to devote more time and energy to dealing with the relationship with China. We hope that he fully understands the useful experiences from the past four years of dialogue and cooperation and the importance of building a new type of major-country relationship between China and the United States before he assumes office. He also needs to realize that the harmony of interests between the two countries in the Asia-Pacific region is crucial to the smooth and steady development of their ties as well as a key factor that determines the success of Washington's new Asia-Pacific strategy.

As for Clinton, she has told the news media that she needs time to rest. It is speculated that she may run for the next presidential election in 2016. We believe that Clinton, who has been deeply devoted to her career, will continue to focus on Sino-U.S. relations.

At a joint press conference following the fourth round of the S&ED in May 2012, State Councilor Dai summarized his conversation with Clinton: "We agree that both sides should work together for a bright future for the succeeding generations and that we should let facts speak for our ability to foster this new type of relations between major countries. Both Secretary Clinton and I expressed our readiness to act as 'construction workers' for this path."

Seven months later, we say farewell to Clinton and welcome the construction crew.

The author is an op-ed contributor to Beijing Review

Email us at: yanwei@bjreview.com