China has had major success in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, which the U.S. and other Western countries are reluctant to admit. It must now remain levelheaded and modest, sustain its victory and keep the elbow room it has obtained in diplomacy and public opinion.

Far more Chinese people than Americans express approval of their system and leadership, and they have good reason. Steady growth, good management, history and widened educational opportunity anchor their trust. Globally, Chinese are among the most optimistic about their government, especially younger people.

The problems the United States has with China boil down to several basic misunderstandings, starting with the fact that Marxism in China bears little resemblance to outdated Soviet ideology. The CPC should be understood from the perspective of human civilizations and, especially, Chinese civilization.

Because of its huge population and uneven development, China remains the largest developing country in the world. Everything is in transition. We ask that the country not be judged by imagination. Rather see it for what it is, in good faith. We are a hardworking nation setting great goals and striving to improve our lot.

China’s fast growing economy has been the story of the 21st century. By learning from past catastrophes, Beijing hopes to avoid the costly recessions that have burdened other wealthy nations who exposed their financial sector to risk-laden operations.

President Xi’s speech at the G20 calls to mind the childhood fable of the Three Little Pigs, in which houses of straw and sticks could not stand against a threat. The analogy is apt, as China’s response to COVID-19 has been robust. And it’s clearly worth emulating.

An ideological competition has sprung from pandemic, and the space for the two sides to compromise and collaborate has narrowed rapidly. The two countries appear to be entering a lose-lose war in which the entire international community will suffer.

The world is reeling from the novel coronavirus epidemic. While the epidemic has been effectively contained in China, many other important economies across the world are being hit hard, and humanity has been thrown into crisis mode.

China’s household registration system, known as the hukou system, was employed throughout imperial China and used as a caste system under Mao Zedong. Now that China is attempting to rise into the ranks of rich countries, the legacy of this system is a major obstacle.

China’s 2019 government work report lays out the country’s economic policies to sustain growth and avoid the “middle income trap” that Premier Le Keqiang has warned of. In taking steps next year to realize the “Chinese dream,” three battles will be tough but key: defusing financial risks, effecting targeted poverty alleviation, and achieving pollution control.