Obama can gain much from friendly China ties

Many Chinese people have shown an increasing interest in the possible course of Sino-US relations during the new US administration under Barack Obama. There have been concerns over whether the incoming administration will follow the model of its predecessors in developing ties with China.

In the past, it was common for a new US president to go for a confrontation with China early in his tenure and then pursue reconciliation and cooperation as the time went by.

To create favorable domestic opinion, some newly elected US leaders have singled out China for verbal attacks. It was labeled either as Washington's strategic competitor or as a threat.