The perception of righteous values and a sense of inflated confidence is hurting relations between the U.S. and China.

As U.S. President Joe Biden contemplates course corrections after his first months in office, one change seems especially worthy of consideration: a shift to a more pragmatic, less ideological foreign policy.

When it comes to participation in international organizations, the objectives of the major powers are not entirely clear. Will there be competition for influence or can China and the United States develop opportunities for cooperation? Only the latter will promote a healthy model of global governance.

The key to correcting misunderstandings is more exchanges and cooperation between provinces, states, cities, enterprises and nonprofit organizations. We should strive to understand each other’s systems and policies.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s suggestion that issues in relations with China should be categorized according to their sensitivity is unrealistic. Yet progress was made at the Anchorage dialogue, including agreement that cooperation is necessary to address global challenges and that the focus ought to be on healthy competition.

In his recent address to the US Congress, President Joe Biden warned that China is deadly serious about trying to become the world’s most significant power. But Biden also declared that autocrats will not win the future; America will. If mishandled, the US-China great-power competition could be dangerous. But if the United States plays it right, the rivalry with China could be healthy.

The United States needs to reconsider its approach, because what it’s doing now is not working. The key to rebuilding trust and resuming effective communication between the two countries is rejection of the rivalry mentality.

The Biden administration is making their policy toward China clear as they maintain a position emphasizing democratic values and alliances. In contrast to the previous administration, Biden also recognizes the need to invest at home in order to remain competitive with China.

After a 40 plus year run, the U.S.-China relationship has come to the proverbial fork in the road. Which way will America go?

For the sake of the shared interests of the human family, the U.S. needs to join hands with China and other countries for global governance and deal with urgent challenges, including the suppression of the COVID-19 pandemic and a reinvigoration of the world economy.