Can 'rivals' still talk?

"The U.S.-China relationship is going through what many argue is a structural transformation. The question before us today is not whether competition will persist. The question is whether it can be managed wisely—in ways to prevent escalation, preserve channels of communication, and leave room for cooperation that benefits both nations and the world," said Christopher Hobbs, Deputy Director of Peace Strategy and Operations at the Carter Center. He made the remarks at a symposium co-organized by the Carter Center, the Beijing-based Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS) and the Institute for China-America Studies in Washington, D.C.

As Washington recalibrates its global posture and alliance commitments, and Beijing navigates a complex economic transition, the bilateral relationship will have a great impact on the international community and the benefits of people from both sides.

"Structural frictions across trade, technology and investment remain deeply embedded," Hobbs said, adding U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductors, tariffs and investment screening are reshaping conditions for cross-border economic engagement.

He called for efforts to resist fragmentation and pursue shared economic growth.

"President [Jimmy] Carter normalized diplomatic relations between the United States and China in 1979, one of the most consequential foreign policy decisions of the 20th century," Hobbs said. "It required a willingness to look past immediate friction toward long-term possibility to see the relationship not only for what it was at the time, but for what it could become in the future. This act of strategic imagination helped shape the conditions for decades of relative stability and shared economic growth. We are the inheritors of that decision."

Roles for think tanks

ACCWS President Li Yafang echoed that sentiment. She described the current moment as a critical historic window for China-U.S. relations, and said think tanks must play three roles: creators of a sound atmosphere, path explorers and managers of differences. Li is also associate editor in chief of China International Communications Group, with which ACCWS is affiliated.

"Think tanks are managers of differences. We know there are differences between us. Our job is to manage these differences professionally. We must find ways to prevent friction and put forward a win-win strategy," she said.

Introducing China's 15th Five-Year Plan, Li said its keyword is "high-quality development," meaning China now cares more about growth quality than speed.

Five-year plans are comprehensive blueprints for China's economic and social development. Grounded in extensive research and consultation, they outline goals, strategies and priorities for each five-year period. The 15th Five-Year Plan, which covers the 2026-30 period, reiterates the importance of high-quality development characterized by innovation, coordination, greenness, openness and inclusiveness.

"China's goal is to fix its own development problems. We are not here to challenge any other country, especially not the United States," Li said. "Our new plan includes many opening-up measures. This will create new opportunities for economic cooperation."

"I think there are three essential aspects to be focused on: understanding each other's goals, working together on global issues and finding ways to cooperate," Li added.

Risk of miscalculation

The dialogue also covered topics like the danger of strategic miscalculation.

The United States has reversed its Asia policy entirely, Robert Sutter, a professor of international affairs at George Washington University, said at the event. "I do see an effort to stabilize the relationship, especially the economic relationship," Sutter said, adding that may be an area China and the U.S. could both work on.

Chen Qi, Deputy Director of Tsinghua University's Center for International Security and Strategy, called for clearer communication channels to reduce the risk of miscalculation.

"The importance of security has been elevated in China, which is consistent with the growing derisking awareness seen in many countries under the current trend of deglobalization," Chen said.

In terms of how China's modernization will shape the bilateral economic and strategic landscape, Chen countered the U.S. perspective. "Both the [Joe] Biden and [Donald] Trump administrations share a fundamental misunderstanding that China is in strategic competition with the United States," Chen said. "In reality, China's goal of modernization and national rejuvenation focuses on managing its own development rather than competing with the United States for regional hegemony. Defining China's development through the lens of strategic competition will inevitably lead to a zero-sum dynamic in China-U.S. interactions."

"But there is still hope for a durable peace and productive cooperation," Hobbs said with an optimistic tone.