In the long term, institutional guarantees that offer multilateral mechanisms for cooperation, development, mutual benefit and win-win, are essential for countries develop a sustainable community with a shared future, thus laying down a solid foundation for peace and development. That should be China’s message to the world, despite challenges from Trump’s expected protectionism, the weight of US national debt and anti-globalization movements.

While the incoming Trump administration has stirred fears that it will direct the US in an inward direction, there is plenty of reason to think that the new president is pro-trade in ways that will re-shape but not destroy the global playing field.

Americans should understand that a harmonious, prosperous, powerful yet responsible United States constitutes part of the favorable external environment that China wishes to have. That understanding is also best for the well-being of both countries.

It is foreseeable that the “America first” policy will undermine the present global economic and geopolitical patterns, bringing uncertainty to the world. But so long as both sides give up the mentality of zero-sum rivalry and persist in cooperation, the Sino-US relationship will come through the current period of uncertainty and maintain the momentum of steady and healthy development.

If the new president’s military and budget priorities don’t change, the U.S. is likely to lose the leverage it has with allies by underwriting their defense and to start a new arms race when a stronger U.S. military upends the current balance of power.

The president-elect may be challenged more by his own Congress than by Beijing in his eagerness to confront China with the potential of a trade war. In reality, both countries benefit when they view the other in a positive light as an economic partner.

China could retaliate in several ways that would cause serious damage to the United States if President-elect Donald Trump were to overplay his hand with the Asian nation, according to an Asia expert at the Atlantic Council.

Chinese sources have attempted to explain the seizure of a U.S. Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) with reference to maritime safety or protests over U.S. military reconnaissance in and around Chinese waters. China seized the drone to send a signal to President-elect Donald Trump that China wasn’t going to play around with any threats to the One China Principle, which Trump threatened by calling Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. However, there is no need for abrupt action right now that alienates president-elect Trump and his advisors. China’s economic and global clout gives it the influence it needs to preserve its “core” interests in international society, and China’s true power doesn’t derive from its ability to pull a U.S. UUV out of the water; it comes from its regional and global economic influence.

While addressing the existing problems in the manufacturing sector at home, the in-coming Trump Administration needs to enhance collaboration with China, for more Chinese investment in America in general, and in the manufacturing sector and massive infrastructure development in particular.

China has coped with the year’s upheavals with calmness and confidence, committed to its own principles in dealing with world affairs. The country must hope that US president-elect Trump will be similarly focused to meet the realities of our times.