The conciliatory remarks by senior officials of China and the United States on Friday, after the conclusion of the second round of the China-US Diplomatic and Security Dialogue in Washington, should have enabled those worrying about the deteriorating bilateral relations to let out a sigh of relief.

The trade frictions that have strained bilateral ties in the past several months are evidence that much needs to be done to promote political trust between Beijing and Washington.

Thus it was reassuring to hear US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tell a joint news conference immediately after the meeting that: "The United States is not pursuing a Cold War or containment policy with China, rather, we want to ensure that China acts responsibly and fairly in support of security and prosperity in each of our two countries."

On his part, Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also said that China is not trying to challenge any nation, and everything it does is to deliver a better life for the Chinese people and to realize the rejuvenation of the nation.

Yang, who is also director of the CPC Central Committee's Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, said that China is committed to reform and opening-up and peaceful development.

It is natural for both countries to have differences on various issues, but those divergences should not preclude cooperation.

With the top leaders of the two countries expected to talk on the sidelines of the G20 summit later this month, it is essential that both sides work to consolidate this expressed willingness to work together and continue to discuss ways to end their trade frictions and find more common ground on which to lay the foundations for more stable relations.

The remarks made by US government officials, including the vice-president, suggest some in the US administration have fundamental misunderstandings and misjudgments about China's policies and intentions.

It is arrogance bordering on delusion to deny that healthier bilateral ties would be better for everyone. The two sides should wipe the slate clean and redraw the paradigm for their relations.

By respecting each other's sovereignty and security interests, and strengthening their coordination on trade, the two sides can build political trust for better relations.