By Zheng Bijian

China and the United States have different historical conditions and social systems, and thus have different values rooted in different civilizations. These two different civilizations can and must seek common ground and communication, and the two countries should not make the differences become the basis for the Cold War mentality. Peoples of the two sides have shown mutual respect and mutual learning spirit in the exchanges, which has proven this point. The practical-minded spirit and the respect for innovation are important conditions for mutual communication.

China's peaceful development has attracted great attention and has won certain recognition of the US strategic community and decision-makers. Many facts have demonstrated that Sino-US relation is becoming more and more mature.

US President Bush once stressed that he was looking forward to a candid, constructive, and cooperative US-China relationship, which is called "3C" relationship. I express my appreciation. However, some recent US policies toward China remind me of another "3C": complex, contradictory, and confusion. For example, on the one hand, the United States recognized China's commitment and experience on the peaceful development, but on the other hand, it still has fundamental skepticism on whether China would be able to stick to this path.

To this end, I would like to bring up another "4C", in which I anticipate that China and the United States can work together in the light of the spirit of communication, complementary, coordination, and cooperation and shape the future bilateral relations in terms of five aspects.

The first is regarding the strategic issues. Both countries should strengthen exchanges and communications so as to enhance mutual trust, dispel doubts, and, reduce misjudgment. Mr. Dai Bingguo and Mr. Robert. B. Zoellick initiated the Sino-US strategic dialogue which is a very good platform for mutual exchange. The more such communication opportunities, the better. As the world's only superpower and a emerging country that plays an increasingly important role on the international arena, the United States and China should constantly communicate with each other on strategic issues.

Second, concerning the economic, trade and energy issues, both countries should further tap the complementary advantages and learn from each other instead of malicious counteracting each other. If the two sides do want to overcome the economic and trade frictions, both sides must firstly adhere to the non-politicization principle of economic issues, respect the conditions and stages of development of each other, and, work together with each other rather than making unilateral efforts. Energy cooperation is vital to the sustainable development of the two countries in the 21st century. The advanced energy technology of the United States is complementary to China's huge energy demand. The development of the US national energy policy can be a good experience for China to learn from to developing more scientific and rational energy strategies.

Third, concerning the regional issues, China and the United States should strengthen coordination, avoid conflict, and, target on a win-win goal. Some American people believe that China is planning a so-called "Asian version of Monroe Doctrine," in which China meditates edging the United States out of the "Asia-Pacific" region. If such suspicions are allowed to spread, the only result could be a "security dilemma" for the United States in which it would be unable to pull itself out thus end up with nothing. The best way to resolve such suspicions is to conduct coordination through prior notice, afterwards summary, and frequent communication. If China and the Untied States can achieve a long-term peaceful coexistence in the Asia-Pacific region, it could be a blessing for the whole region.

Fourth, both countries should further the cooperation in non-traditional security field so as to expand the strategic foundation of the Sino-US relations. Sino-US cooperation in this field is the most successful cooperation, reporting the least obstacles. Non-traditional security cooperation not only helps alleviate the mistrust between the two countries in the traditional security field, but also provides the two with useful experience in other fields and promotes the establishment of a broader platform.

Fifth, in a deeper sense, China and the United States should broaden their visions and seek common ground while reserving differences in order to promote the communication between the two different civilizations.

In short, basing on the political cooperation, security cooperation, and economic and trade cooperation in the past, China and the United States should be able to get beyond the Cold War mentality, expand strategic cooperation, energy cooperation, regional cooperation, non-traditional security cooperation and communication between the two civilizations, and, create a broader and brighter space for the future development of the Sino-US relations.

The author Zheng Bijian is director-general of the Forum on China's Reform and Opening-up.

(People's Daily Online May 12, 2006)