The comments made by President George W. Bush in a press conference on July 19 were exceptional because, when asked about China, he didn't use terms such as "strategic partner", "competitor" or "potential enemy".
Instead, he said Sino-US ties were very important and robust, describing it as "a good but also very complex relationship".
This is an important development because the "China threat" stories emanating from the mouths of many American politicians from Bush's "neo-conservative" camp still ring strong in Chinese ears.
There is a growing trend of China-bashing among countries that feel threatened by China's fast economic growth, with political and ideological issues manipulated to suit a particular end. Almost all heavyweights in the US administration, except Bush himself, have rung the "alarm bell".
Washington's new projectionist trade barriers against dozens of categories of Chinese-made textile products have inflicted huge losses on many domestic manufacturers and foreign investors, including American importers. Several rounds of talks have failed to break the deadlock.
Looking back at the evolution of Washington's China strategy since the founding of the People's Republic of China 56 years ago, particularly the development of post-Cold War bilateral ties since Beijing launched its economic reform and opening up policy, it's clear that successive US administrations have had misgivings about China.
From the total blockade in the 1950s and 60s to the world-shattering establishment of diplomatic ties in the 1970s, and through the fast-improving relations characterized by increased co-operation in the 1980s to the present day, formal diplomatic ties have been retained despite a few serious downturns. As a result, economic and trade exchanges have continued to flourish, making the two countries key mutual trading partners.
Washington knows perfectly well that many American companies are reaping rich rewards from their ventures in China, thanks to its booming economy. Inexpensive quality products from China enable American consumers to spend a greater part of their income on US-made goods and services and thus help the US economy to keep growing.
Beijing also holds a huge amount of US treasury bonds widely seen as giving Washington licence to run persistent budget deficits without going broke. The Bush administration resurrected protectionism against some Chinese exports recently due to political pressure from certain vested interests. Chinese exporters and American importers hope these measures are only temporary.
Viewed in a different light, China's prosperity is also driving growth in neighbouring countries, which supply raw material and parts used in the manufacture of products destined for US as well as domestic markets.
Thousands of US companies are benefiting, directly or otherwise, from these supply chains and so the US government must admit that letting China play the role of "factory of the world" does far more good than harm. It relieves some real burden placed on the US by fuelling economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region and maintaining stability.