Relations cannot return to the past, but the two countries can move forward to achieve a certain degree of balance. Giving up on the future will serve neither themselves nor the world.

The divide between Beijing and Washington is fundamentally rooted in ideological disagreement and the concept of American exceptionalism. But this concept has long been a guiding force within US foreign policy, and will not end simply with a new US President.

China-U.S. relations can be rebuilt under Joe Biden, but it’s important to be realistic about the domestic forces the newly elected U.S. president will face. Here are five suggestions to get the ball rolling.

American society is almost evenly divided into tribal camps that show more signs of widening division than of reconciliation. China needs to be alert to the effects that can flow from a polarized United States.

Decoupling serves neither China nor the United States. Instead, it would impose grave economic costs on both countries at best and threatens a calamitous military clash at worst.

Regardless who becomes the next president of the United States, a friendly and cooperative China policy should be his only choice. Confrontation produces no winners.

China and the United States identify areas of common interest and establish a reference framework for adjustments to bilateral ties. This is exactly the right place to focus additional effort.

China and the United States have long seen technology as both a sign of hope and a reason to worry. The impact of recent U.S. escalations against China remain to be seen.

If Democrats take power in Washington, the wind for U.S. relations with China will likely start blowing in a much more favorable direction. China should trim its sails and seize the opportunity.

The choice is clear: China and the United States can either find ways to make things tolerable or simply capitulated to ever-worsening relations and consequences that go beyond our imagination at the moment.