The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road proposed by China in 2013 for collaboration between countries in Asia, Europe and Africa are a testament to their joint efforts of overcoming funding shortages and improving infrastructure connectivity.

The "Belt and Road" initiatives are referred to as another Marshall Plan by some, but they should not be viewed in the outdated Cold War mentality. It is not China's "solo," but a "symphony" performed by all relevant countries, borrowing a metaphor used by Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

China is a constructive force in building international order. Without a doubt, the current international order needs to be updated. But it is not about overturning it or starting all over again. The China-proposed Silk Road Fund, together with BRICS Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, can play a complementary, not contradictory, role to existing global financial institutions.

China, the United States and other major economies can and should deepen strategic trust. They should not magnify differences through a microscope but instead use a telescope to look ahead to the future, as the future of the world will be shaped by how they engage with each other and build a relationship centering on shared interests.

Key global players need China's full participation in coping with thorny challenges like terrorism, climate change, cyber security, among others.

The vast Pacific Ocean has ample space for China, the United States and other economies. China aims to expand interests with partners in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, not seek world hegemony. As many China observers would be quick to embrace a panda, they may also try embracing the country's peaceful development.

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