By Miao Yang

NEW YORK, Sept. 28^th -- Historically, power shifts always spark a critical period during which international disputes are more likely to happen. China’s emergence as a world power over the past three decades has aroused international concern about the so-called “Thucydides trap”. The trap frequently happens when a rising power challenges, either overtly or indirectly, a legacy power. Disputes about cyber security and South China Sea, among other things, have cloaked the U.S.-China bilateral relationship in a shroud of tension. The recent economic slowdown in China and the devaluation of Chinese currency further add to the pressure. The majorities of western media have demonstrated negative perspectives of the U.S.-China relations before Xi’s official arrival in Seattle on Tuesday, conjecturing how this week’s summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Barack Obama would influence future U.S.-China relations.

Evan Medeiros, a former senior Obama administration Asia policy official at the White House’s National Security Council, says that determination and resilience are important in the consideration of this bilateral relationship. Speaking at an Asia Society forum, Medeiros, now with the consultancy Eurasia Group, says the United States needs “to work with China on big global issues and carefully manage the differences. U.S.-China relations right now are facing historical task.”

Daniel H. Rosen, a China-focused economic analyst and founding partner at the Rhodium Group, says Beijing would need to make some political compromises for China’s future economic growth. He thinks the U.S. should understand China’s dilemma and act accordingly. “The behavior of China in engaging with [the United States] — the incumbent economic leader — on how to reshape, strengthen, and adjust international economic norms is going to be something of a contest of ideas,” Rosen says.

Prior to Xi’s visit, disputes over human rights in China, cyber attacks and other issues seem to impose cast a pall on U.S.-China relations. Though Xi tried to underscore China’s intention to mount a peaceful rise to great power status by announcing the cut of 300,000 troops at the recent military parade, this was seen by military experts as window dressing and simply an obvious step in the modernization of China’s manpower heavy military. More relevant in US and other Asian eyes are China’s recent moves with regarded to maritime disputes in the South China Sea, which exacerbated fears of potential Chinese aggression against its smaller neighbors.

The summit, the U.S. and China’s collaboration to fight climate change will help to add some optimism to the relationship between the two strongest world players, as is talk of an understanding on cyber crime. Despite divergent interests in many other fields, these kinds of small steps underscore that both countries are willing to work together when their interests intersect.

Xi’s meeting with the U.S. business leaders also promises some new progresses in economic cooperation. President Xi Jinping’s opening address in the U.S. is more likely a good start to this bilateral development, given that he expressed the willingness to maintain a harmonious and cooperative relationship with the U.S. He also showed familiarity with American culture, from Hemingway to House of Cards, which lights up a more relaxing diplomatic atmosphere. The meeting brought about business interactions, agreements on cyber security, as well as discussions on South China Sea conflicts. More importantly, it highlights the “frenemy” relationship between the two world powers, which compete and cooperate in both cultural and economic areas. Reactions in the Asia Society audience were cautiously optimistic about US-China ties.

Yao Sun, a senior student majoring in International Relations at Emory University commented: “The meeting sent out an image of China and the U.S. as close friends rather than competitive rivals. Therefore, it brought the people from two countries closer and created an environment for dialog and cooperation.”

While the consensus in the fields of economic cooperation and climate changes indicates a good step to lubricating the relationship after the State Visit, some also express concern about true progress behind the diplomatic meeting.

“It is a high-level state visit and I think it is unnecessary to overemphasize its value. True, the U.S. and China achieve some consensuses in regards of economic cooperation, cyber security and climate changes. However, we cannot guarantee the negotiation outcomes until certain actions are taken and people from both countries indeed benefit from the action”, said Dara Ma, a college lecturer that currently lives in Beijing.

Xi’s visit this week helps to lessen some bilateral tensions. Communication and cooperation are always beneficial to both countries’ advancement. A productive U.S.-China relationship is still contingent on the future actions, but at least the state visit this week is a nice start.