United States President Donald Trump started his three-day state visit to China on Wednesday.

Here we are again, yet another pivotal moment as the world revolves around US-China relations.

Once again, we have arrived at a point where action or inaction will shape the direction of trade, technology, global security, the economy and geopolitical stability of the US, China and the rest of the world.

Peace and prosperity should be our goal.

The last thing either side and the world need now is greater instability. The world cannot afford a new Cold War, or worse, and wise choices must be made to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for all of humanity.

We collectively need to seek "win-win" solutions rather than treat this vital relationship as a zero-sum game where one party's success requires the other's failure.

Perhaps at no other time in the modern US-China engagement has it been as imperative that we avoid unnecessary confrontation and conflict by keeping dialogue open and engaging in constructive, government and nongovernmental exchanges at the highest levels, as well as rebuilding and strengthening people-to-people, educational and cultural exchanges that have waned in recent years, particularly student exchanges, which are a foundation for long-term understanding between our two peoples.

Dialogue between US and Chinese leaders must have a "trickle-down" effect that improves the overall relationship, reduces distrust and produces positive, tangible results for average citizens on both sides of the Pacific.

Change is inevitable. Progress should not be optional when it comes to US-China geopolitical relations.

Going forward, all major world issues will intersect at the corner of Beijing and Washington, DC. Are we going to swing for the win or strike out?

Both nations have work to do at home to better serve our respective peoples.

I have advocated, over decades, that the best way for the US to compete with China is to invest in our own people, infrastructure, technology and education, rather than trying to "knock China down". Pushing a strategy to hold China back will be as effective as starting to build a chain-link fence as a tsunami is coming ashore.

Worldwide, people are closely watching the development of the US-China interaction, hoping that agreements would be reached to promote a more stable world order.

China-US economic and trade cooperation has brought benefits and challenges to both countries for over half a century.

We are at an inflection point. A miscalculation or mistake will have a devastating global impact.

While we need to continue to work toward building sensible economic, cultural and military ties, it is vital that China and the US continue to follow a seven Cs framework to help manage this delicate bilateral relationship, which is critical to the world:

? Communication (Open, high-level and subnational channels)

? Collaboration (On global issues like health and climate)

? Cooperation (To seek win-win solutions)

? Coordination (On regional and global issues)

? Competition (Managed and constructive)

? Contextual Understanding (Grasping the history and perspectives of both nations)

? Avoiding confrontation, conflict and casualties

As the 21st century unfolds, both the US and China should be the beacons for building bridges.

It is imperative that we find ways to develop a shared vision and common agenda in areas that are in our collective national interests while we have open dialogue on topics where we disagree.

Chinese and US activists, not just governments, should work to create and endow a robust international exchange, a people-to-people organization that connects students, artists, writers, athletes, tourists, educators, health and behavioral healthcare professionals, poets, sub-national government officials and NGOs between our two countries to listen, to understand and build bridges that will help sustain peace and prosperity for all.

These kinds of global connections lay the groundwork for meaningful dialogues, thoughtful synergy, mutual respect, joint prosperity and peaceful collaboration.

We need to get along and jointly prosper peacefully.

The author was deputy chief of staff to former Michigan governor James Blanchard, president and CEO of the economic council of Palm Beach County, Florida.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.