The rising interdependence brings mutual benefits when there is co-operation, and causes mutual damage when there is confrontation. Decision-makers and the general public can more and more easily feel the impact. The interdependence has also become a valve that releases pressure and a propeller that modulates the movement of the relationship and regulates its future growth. It compels decision-makers from both nations to be rational and seek compromise in times of trouble, friction and crises, and to keep each one's fundamental interests from harm.
As the two sides overcome various kinds of difficulties and increase co-operation, the relationship has taken on the following characteristics:
Sino-US relations include the fundamental and strategic interests of both countries, and the relations have a major impact on world politics. Prudence in handling the relationship is mandatory as each side, under the constraints of outside forces, does not have a free hand on important issues.
The bilateral relationship includes multiple areas, such as politics, economy, culture and military affairs, reaching into all levels of government. This determines that each side's foreign policy regarding the other will be affected by domestic interest groups and may not be able to display a co-ordinated or consistent attitude.
As the two countries broaden the scope of overlapping interests, the relationship grows multi-layered and interwoven. Benefits and harm co-exist, and so do conflicts and compromises, or competition and co-operation. "Enemy" or "friend," "competitor" or "partner," none of these simple words is or will be able to encapsulate the complexity of the relationship.
Sino-US relations have infiltrated each other's social fabric and have become a force to be reckoned with in each other's domestic politics. The influence is multi-faceted and not limited to one incident or one particular notion that a certain social segment may hold. In other words, a viewpoint popular for a while will not necessarily be propagated across social strata. Both sides have the possibility to influence the other's society and internal policies.
