As we enter a new age of globalization with ever deepening economic interdependence and widening gap between rich and poor, cultural interactions and mutual enrichment among nations become the essential determinant in global governance.

Doug Bandow takes a global portrait of China’s strategic partnerships and “non-alliance” policies, arguing that as the great Eastern power grows so must its capacity to create not just military allies but friends.

In the past six years, Washington and Manila have been cementing a military alliance, which is reassuring to many Filipinos but leaves some apprehensive – including the leading presidential contenders. Dr. Steinbcok poses that true hedging would seek security benefits from the U.S. defense umbrella; economic returns from trade and investment with China; and political advantages from cooperation with both nations.

President Obama has embraced the rise of a strong and peaceful China as an asset in the new world order, and both politicians and academics need to do more to promote more cooperation and reduce the fear-mongering.

Summits and other meetings can’t resolve all differences, but they help to contain disputes: Even on the issue of South China Sea, the Chinese and US presidents have been able to exchange their views frankly over China’s reclamation and prevention of militarization in the area. As China is increasingly indispensable to contribute to global governance, such exchanges help Beijing’s voice to be better heard.

A new survey conducted by the Committee of 100 (C-100) underscores that Americans view cooperation between the two countries as critical and recognize the benefits of increased trade and investment. Americans are, however, skeptical of China’s economic, military, and political intentions.

As the White House said, the U.S. president’s Cuba policy “now allows us to more effectively improve the lives of the Cuban people, advance our interests and values, and build broader ties of cooperation across the Americas”. It’s a U.S. policy reversal that also serves to cement American influence across the region.

Despite US jitters about China’s rise, Beijing and Washington should build a partnership along the lines of what President Xi Jinping calls a “new type of major-country relationship” – no clash, no confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win through cooperation.

China will use its presidency to focus on growth and guide international economic cooperation, and promote the new foreign policy concepts Beijing has adopted in recent years such as “win-win cooperation”, “a new model of major-country relationship” and “a global community of shared future” – all aimed at creating a better future for the world.

In mid-March, Mainland China and the Gambia re-opened official links that had been severed since 1995 when the Gambia recognized the Republic of China (Taiwan) instead of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). China will have undoubted leverage for boosting the Gambia’s economic growth.