Given the rise of China and the weight of the United States in world affairs, how these two countries manage their relations will be of paramount importance for the two countries and for the world as a whole.

After more than three and half decades of renewed contacts, China and the United States are closer, their cooperation is more extensive and their relations more balanced than before. With greater stakes in their relationship and in the current international order, with China determined to pursue a peaceful rise and with their values converging, the two countries have a better chance and a greater need than ever before to develop a cooperative partnership. After all, in the age of globalisation, when effective outsourcing is the key to success, there is no better place for the two countries to outsource than to each other in their efforts to attain their respective national ambitions and welfare, and those of the world as a whole. Imagine a world in which China and the United States take the lead on climate change! Imagine a world in which China and the United States join efforts with other countries on energy security!

As discussed in previous sections, challenges and restraints will, however, continue to hamper the development of the relationship. Some people in both countries will continue to hold a zero-sum approach to the relationship. The rise of China will continue to generate uncertainty and fear on the part of many in both countries, making them easy targets for anti-Chinese or anti-American political rhetoric. The remaining differences in values and national priorities will also continue to hinder genuine understanding and effective cooperation between the two countries.

Therefore, while the two countries have a better chance to develop a cooperative partnership than ever before, there are still many uncertainties. Leaders of the two countries will have to exercise vision and wisdom if they wish to chart the relationship to a positive future.