On August 28, Professor Jia Qingguo was invited to deliver a keynote speech at a seminar hosted by the China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy on China-U.S. relations. He provided a systematic explanation of the current trends of Sino-US relations, the historical patterns, the challenges of transformation, and the corresponding solutions.
On August 28, the China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy hosted a seminar under the theme “China-U.S. Relations: Current State, Patterns, Transformation and Policy Responses.” Jia Qingguo, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a professor at Peking University’s School of International Studies, and director of the Institute for Global Cooperation and Understanding at Peking University, was invited to deliver a keynote speech and engage in in-depth discussions with participants.
Jia Qingguo provided a systematic analysis of the current state and trends of China-U.S. relations, their historical patterns, the challenges posed by the ongoing transformation, and possible policy responses. He noted that China-U.S. relations are currently showing a trend of “initial setbacks followed by improvement and a move toward greater stability.” Both sides have agreed to work toward building a constructive relationship based on strategic stability. However, achieving this goal still faces numerous practical challenges and will depend on the ability of both countries to manage conflicts while promoting cooperation.
Jia summarized the underlying pattern of China-U.S. relations as one in which “limited conflict and limited cooperation coexist.” Both China and the United States are large countries with vast territories, populations, markets and geopolitical influence, giving them extensive shared interests. At the same time, the two countries differ significantly in their historical and cultural traditions, political systems and value preferences. This dual nature of the relationship means that differences can become obstacles when cooperation deepens, while shared interests can serve as constraints when conflicts escalate. As a result, China-U.S. relations have continued to evolve amid a dynamic balance between competition and coexistence.
Jia said that China-U.S. relations are currently undergoing a profound transformation as the gap in overall national strength between the two countries continues to narrow, with the traditional pattern of U.S. predominance over China gradually changing. China’s peaceful rise is grounded in solid material and practical foundations. Achieving peaceful coexistence between China and the United States and avoiding the “Thucydides Trap” will require concerted efforts from both sides. Properly managing China-U.S. relations is a major challenge that must be overcome in the course of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has every confidence and capability to navigate the complexities and promote China-U.S. relations along a sound and stable path.
Feng Wei, vice president of the China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy, chaired the seminar. He said that Professor Jia’s speech offered profound insights into both the changes and continuities in China-U.S. relations, stressing that amid a rapidly changing and complex international environment, the two countries should exercise strategic wisdom, better understand themselves and each other, and, in particular, gain a deeper understanding of China’s vision of peaceful development. This, he noted, offers important insights for the institute’s efforts to help the world better understand China.
Wang Boyong, vice president and secretary-general of the China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy, said in his concluding remarks that Professor Jia’s speech was both insightful and accessible, presenting a clear picture of the most consequential bilateral relationship between major powers in the 21st century. He stressed that throughout the historic process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, China has consistently pursued a path of peaceful development. Properly managing China-U.S. relations is therefore of vital importance. He expressed the view that China and the United States could build a high-level relationship characterized by healthy competition with cooperation as the dominant feature, and explore a path toward mutual success and common development.
All staff members of the China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy, as well as experts and scholars from several partner institutions, attended the seminar.
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