President Biden recently gave his first speech on foreign policy after assuming office. While his speech focused more on competition with China, both China and the U.S. must establish ways to cooperate in order to co-exist.

The early Biden administration’s buzzword is “strategic competition” when it comes to China. Yet, with a litany of domestic problems at hand, true diplomacy may be sidelined, or worse, sacrificed to retain a positive outlook for Joe Biden’s domestic agenda.

Attempts to overturn ideological differences between China and the United States will not solve any of the challenges that lie in their bilateral relationship.

The Biden administration is attempting to merge some domestic priorities with foreign relations, which should create some room for cooperation. The pandemic, economic recovery and climate change are good places to start.

New U.S. President Joe Biden is facing a new and different China focused on global rules. It is trying to work with the United States in a mutually beneficial way, but it is preparing for the worst-case scenario. The two countries now have a window of opportunity to usher in a new phase in their relationship.

China-U.S. relations in the post-Trump era will be driven by China’s increasing strength and shifts in global diplomacy. Because Trump failed to keep China pinned down, the United States will sooner or later be forced to adjust to new realities.

Trump’s presidency drastically changed the American foreign policy landscape, which presents a challenge to Biden as he determines how best to engage in the world’s most significant bilateral relationship.

Historically, following a crisis, dialogues at the highest levels between China and the United States are put on hold indefinitely. At present, neither nation seems to be in a hurry for such a meeting. Here are some of the reasons.

The following is the prepared opening remarks by the author at the Hong Kong Forum on US-China Relations, Jan 26-28, hosted by the China-United States Exchange Foundation in partnership with the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.

A new U.S. policy will emerge in the South China Sea, but only slowly. After his inauguration Biden will pick up where Obama left off, but adding new strategic wrinkles as the U.S. enlists other countries to play its game.