A constructive U.S.-China relation will stay strong and thrive in a long term even though there have been many talks of uncertainties under the Presidency of Donald Trump in relationship between the world's two largest economies, U.S. experts say.
An vastly important relationship beyond bilateral ties
"The U.S.-China relations are of vital importance and influence not only to themselves, but also to the world as a whole," Ezra Feivel Vogel, professor of the Social Sciences Emeritus at Harvard University, told Xinhua in fluent Mandarin in a recent interview.
Trump, one of the U.S. presidents with least public office experience, needs time to get familiar with foreign policy affairs, especially with the complexities of U.S.-China ties, Vogel said.
"Personally I think Trump has to choose to cooperate with China on major issues of domestic and global relevance, such as trade, investment and counterterrorism, to name just a few."
Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger could agree no more.
"I am optimistic that the cooperative way will prevail. Keep in mind that if China and America are in conflict, then the whole world will be divided," he said at an event hosted by the Committee of 100 and the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business.
"The peace and progress of the world depend on the abilities of the United States and China to respect each other's core interests, and to modify the core interests in order to make cooperation possible," Kissinger said when marking the 50th founding anniversary of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR).
Exploring the potential for the U.S. and China to work together, where possible, on the One Belt One Road Initiative could "open windows for regional economic, political and commercial benefits to both counties," said Marc Grossman, former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs and Vice Chairman of the Cohen Group.
Adherence to One-China policy is crucial
Many prominent specialists on Chinese affairs have also joined chorus of opposition to Trump's questioning Washington's "one China policy" before taking office.
"Every president of both parties since 1971 has accepted this framework, and once that framework is studied, I do not expect it to be overturned ... To make Taiwan the key issue at the beginning of this dialogue is, in my view, unwise and not the most efficient way of proceeding," Kissinger said.
Michael Swaine, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, called Trump's phone call with Taiwan leader "reckless action."
"It would serve absolutely no U.S. interest, and raise many risks, for Trump to entertain such a fantasy," Swaine said.
"A needless blunder that foolishly complicates U.S.-China relations fails to advance U.S. interests, and calls into questioning the readiness of the Trump team to manage foreign policy," Avery Goldstein, political science professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said of Trump's Taiwan call.
