What they say

Two prevailing sentiments - perceived US-led containment of China and the threat posed to America by China's growing economic and military strength - have set the two major powers on a confrontational course. However, a Cold War mentality and 19th century mindset must not dominate our thinking in a world where economic globalization is unprecedented in scale and scope.

Cheng Li, director of the John L. Thornton China Center, Brookings Institution

The challenge ... between the two leaders must be to establish a tone and a realistic, achievable agenda for the remainder of President Obama's term, and to minimize wherever possible the divergence in US and Chinese policy goals. The Obama administration will seek tangible steps to advance Sino-American relations during its final two years in office.