Introduction

Abstract

Conflicts between China and the United States are believed by some to be structural; however, in the author’s view, the discord and distrust between Beijing and Washington at the moment are more psychological than structural in nature. Still, a wide range of shared preferences between China and the United States would significantly remedy the lack of trust between these two powers. The international community, also, has been concerned over China’s rise for various reasons—so much so that among some of China’s neighbors, an unnecessary “China-phobia” seems to have emerged. As a newcomer to the international community, China has had to adapt itself to the prevailing system. From the perspective of (but not limited to) Power Transition theory, rule of law, convergence and mutual interdependence, and changes of power are the three rationales for the world’s engagement with China