Experts urge US to embrace coexistence with China

By Xia Fangting

China and the United States must embrace peacefulcoexistence, as neither country can defeat the other, said Zhao Suisheng, professor and director of the Center for China-U.S. Cooperation at the University of Denver,at a dialogue event recently held in Beijing.

Zhao, speaking with Wang Huiyao, president of the Center for China and Globalization(CCG), warned that U.S. policy misjudgments risk damaging bilateral relations.

The professor highlighted two key errors in U.S. policymaking: underestimating China's economic and political resilience and overestimating the so-called "threat" China poses.

"Both underestimation and overestimation result in excessive policy reactions, which can lead to avoidable conflicts and significant obstacles to academic and social exchanges," Zhao said.

He warned that such overreactions harm bilateral ties and further erode China's public sentiment toward the U.S., ultimately undermining Washington's interests.

Zhao also noted the significant decline in official and people-to-peopleexchanges between the two countries during President Donald Trump's first term.

"The U.S. media coverage became extremely stigmatizing and even demonizing, deepening mutual hostility and provoking irrational policy responses," he said. This trend has continued into Trump's second term, shaping the current state of China-U.S. relations,according to Zhao.

Looking ahead, Zhao underscored the critical role of leadership in steering the relationship. "The most important factor is the wisdom and foresight of leaders," he said, adding that potential high-level meetings could produceimportant opportunities to improve bilateral ties.

Zhao Suisheng(L)talks with Wang Huiyao at the CCG Global Dialogue event "From Trump 1.0 to 2.0: Transitions and Analysis of China-U.S. Relations" held in Beijing, July 18, 2025. [Photocourtesy of CCG]

Wang emphasized the deep economic interdependence between the two nations.

"Products made in China have entered millions of American households, deeply integrating into the daily lives of the American people. Now, the U.S. is trying to decouplefrom China, but I don't think it will work," Wang said. "China and the U.S. should compete peacefully and strengthen cooperation."

The dialogue event, held in Beijing on July 18, provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the future of China-U.S. relations. Both experts called for rationality, mutual understanding and bilateral cooperation to prevent unnecessary conflict and promote positive engagement.