Commentary: Big-picture thinking needed to chart course for China-U.S. relationship

Dynamics between major countries always commands attention, especially in a globalized world, as the consequences of their interaction not only shape bilateral relations but sway international issues.

On the sidelines of the just concluded Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, China and the United States, respectively the world's largest developing and developed country, carried out a round of productive interaction whose significance goes well beyond their borders.

The two countries issued a joint statement pledging more cooperation in improving the storage and security of nuclear material in order to prevent nuclear terrorism.

They also agreed to sign the Paris Agreement -- a historic international accord on climate change reached in the French capital in December -- on April 22, the first day it will be open for government signatures.

Climate change and nuclear security are tricky yet imperative issues. The two joint statements are set to nudge the world toward a greener growth path and muster more willpower in the global fight against nuclear terrorism.

Recent years have witnessed robust cooperation between China and the United States in many non-traditional areas, which will increase the likelihood of gathering more countries behind international agreements on those issues.

It has been repeatedly demonstrated that on today's global landscape, the benefits generated by the cooperation between the top two economies in the world readily spread beyond the two countries and trickle into the rest of the world.

In their meeting during the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, sent out a clear signal that the common interests of China and the United States far outweigh their differences and that by working together they can accomplish a lot.

Just like every other bilateral relationship, the complex, multifaceted China-U.S. engagement is by no means free of frictions. But those differences and distractions should never be allowed to eclipse the big picture of their cooperation and derail their relationship.

Going forward, the two countries should put their relations in perspective and continue seeking to expand their common interests and win-win cooperation.

Only in so doing can they avoid the Thucydides Trap, put bilateral ties on a track of sound development, and live up to the due responsibilities on their shoulders in promoting world peace, stability and prosperity. Endi