Lately, the US attitude towards China has had few gone through a number of changes. Its double-sided policy towards China has embraced some new developments as well. The relationship between China and US is entering into a "New Normal" of deeper cooperation mixed with deeper precaution. The concept of China being a "hardliner" has been brought arisen again.

The idea of China being a "hardliner" was being hyped during Obama's first term, trying to misrepresent China's standpoint on issues like the South China Sea dispute. Today the US government is again worried that China's foreign policy is getting tougher, and that China might feel confident enough to challenge the lead role of the US rather than directing its efforts to the maintenance of Sino-US relationship, and responding to the demands of the US. It is widely acknowledged in United States that US is still in the first phase of getting to understand China’s foreign policy under the new leadership, and people even suggest that the relationship between China and US is now at a "crossroads".

In fact, US strategic anxiety is the main reason why the theory of China being a hardliner is resurfacing. The anxiety results from disappointment over the current situation in the US, global controversies in Iran, North Korea, and the Islamic state, and uncertainty about the future of the global economy and its Western Allies.

Whether the issue is "one road and one belt", or the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, all of these are strategies though which China is trying to promote global inclusiveness. China's foreign policy is not aimed at economic expansionism or cultural hegemonye. Peaceful development and mutually beneficial cooperation have always been at the forefront of China's attitude towards the US. The US has no need to be anxious about China being a hardliner. Rational thinking about China's strategic intent and development trend is the way to resolve US anxiety and build a new relationship with China.

This article is edited and translated from 《不是中国强硬，而是美国焦虑》, source: People's Daily Overseas Edition, author: Yi Wei