The Bush administration has on many occasions echoed the Chinese government's calls to curb the "Taiwan independence" attempt. It also reiterated the "One China" stance and its adherence to the Three Joint Communiqus between the two countries. At a press briefing co-chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao on Dec 9, 2003, Bush openly lashed out at the Taiwan authorities' conspiracy to unilaterally change the status quo across the Taiwan Straits. The joint actions taken by the two countries against Taiwan separatist moves have contributed to cross-Straits stability and consolidated their political foundation.

Also, the two countries have become increasingly interdependent in the economic and trade realms, with both regarding the other as a long-term cooperation partner. Even before his election as president, Bush, a strong advocate of trade liberalization, made great efforts for the smooth passage through the Congress of the bill that accorded China a permanent normal trade relations treatment. During his two terms, the outspoken US president has also made further efforts for the development of bilateral trade ties and fended off some Congressmen's calls to use the issue of yuan's exchange rate to intervene in a normal bilateral economic and trade relationship. In particular, the establishment of the Strategic Economic Dialogue mechanism with China has substantially added to economic interdependence between the world's largest developing and developed countries.

Nevertheless, an ever-deepening bilateral relationship does not mean there exist no differences between the two powers. Due to different political systems and values, China and the US still remain far apart on the human rights, Taiwan and Tibet issues. As the world's sole superpower, the US has long had a suspicious attitude toward the prospect of China's development.

In a series of its official documents, such as the ones on the US national security strategy, its quadrennial defense review and on China's military power, Washington has never concealed its deep misgivings about China. These documents have always called for the US to be on high alert against the emerging Asian nation while seeking engagement. The US arms sales to Taiwan last October interrupted the normal development of the already weak military ties between the two sides.

It is not expected that all differences can be ironed out overnight. But we have reason to believe that the established openness between the two sides in handling differences and disputes will continue to push forward bilateral ties.

The author, Tao Wenzhao, is a researcher with the Institute of American Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

(China Daily January 14, 2009)