By Wang Fan

As the COVID-19 pandemic is rampaging across the world, some American politicians, instead of working with the rest of the world to fight the pandemic together, took advantage of the situation to undercut some countries, which is nothing but a shallow move that reveals their lack of historical and strategic vision.

First of all, a generally stable world is beneficial for both China and the US from a security perspective. Both highly internationalized, China and the US are important components of global industrial chain. Any turmoil will inflict political and economic damages to the two major powers to varying degrees, and may even, regardless of their current national images and international standing, invite dangers to fall on their soft and hard power.

Second, uncertain consequences will be triggered by China-US contention. In today's world, neither China nor the US will come out a winner from their struggle, which will only create the opportunity for an unclear third party to rise. That's the key reason why both China and the US should be responsible powers - their contention isn't just about themselves, but is a strategic issue that determines the direction of world development and the stability of international balance.

The "unknown third party" may refer to an existing major country or a certain force or potential organization, which is waiting for the conflicting major countries to make irreversible mistakes. Given the power comparison of major countries, the potential third parties may quickly strengthen up by taking advantage of an opportunity or the crisis of major-country confrontation anytime.

History shows that the confrontation between two major countries will exacerbate the international restructuring of and vying for power, creating the possibility of a new Cold War or even a local hot war.

Third, from an economic point of view, win-win cooperation for mutual benefits may not be the optimal plan, but is a rational and feasible one. An economic crisis in China or the US will by no means be an opportunity for the other side.

Obsessed with its assumption that "China is sure to seek hegemony with its growing strength", the US has stubbornly adhered to and reinforced the wrong perception that China is repeating the old path of power struggle advocated by realistic theories, which has intensified the confrontation between Beijing and Washington. At such a moment, China has all the more reasons to make rational and wise choices and avoid being distracted by emotional sentiments. Given the current reality, refraining from further confrontation with the US remains the top priority, which is critical to keeping China away from America's wrong mindset of "strategic confrontation". We need to view the current situation from a strategic and comprehensive point of view - can we still believe in competition amid interdependence?

As far as economic development is concerned, America's economic downfall and collapse aren't just catastrophic for the country itself, but may also have immense impact on the global economy. At a time of interdependence, China’s further development cannot be obtained at the cost of the America's continuous decline. The tiny probability of that, if any, will come at an enormous price because Washington, for fear of its possible decline, will ramp up the pressure on or even take extreme moves to others, especially challengers. We must do our best to avoid the appearance of such a dangerous situation and take precautions against the aftermaths.

America's decline won't be a boon to China. Likewise, China's economic plight won't be America's blessing. Competition between the two sides may be inevitable, but confrontation should be averted as much as possible. China doesn't want to see a declining US for the sake of common interests and stability and is willing to extend a helping hand if the US asks, as by so doing, we are helping ourselves as well. Meanwhile, from a strategic point of view, if Washington chose to work with Beijing, it is choosing to help itself in the best way possible.

Fourth, there is only the second-best solution in major-country competition. In today's world, major countries' interests are deeply entwined and no one will come out of the contention a winner or claim the final victory through a war. Any attempt to pursue maximal interests by annihilating the rival will be a dead end because that will be a Pyrrhic victory at best. In the same vein, the self-centered approach of pursuing maximal interests for one's own country only in total disregard of others won't succeed either because the vehement rejection from other countries will make it unsustainable.

Instead of being a perfect solution for one specific country alone, major-country relation works for mutual respect and accommodation, relative interests acceptable for all parties, and outcomes that can benefit every party one way or another. Win-win results must be based on common understanding and should be the most important strategic consensus between major countries, especially China and the US. The adoption of confrontational moves lacking in strategic vision by certain American politicians will only worsen the relationship between Beijing and Washington and lead to a lose-lose situation, which isn't what China wishes to see. That explains why China has been making great efforts to maintain the cooperation with the US.

The China-US relationship needs adjustment and re-shaping, which means both sides need to re-shape themselves to evolve together and strike a new balance, rather than each demanding the other side to change but sticking to its old ways itself.

Unilateral benefits for either China or the US won't sustain. The only choice is pursuing complementarity and mutual benefits while acknowledging the disparity and diversity of development. From an interdependence perspective, both countries need to help their economically stranded rival.

That's what a community with a shared future for mankind means. Countries should share both weal and woe because, like it or not, their fates are closely tied. Furthermore, their positive interactions will cause synergy effects and make both prosper on their own while promoting each other.

(The author is a professor in international relations and vice president of China Foreign Affairs University.)