The Sino-US relationship may be at a turning point. Some seasoned observers contend that the Sino-US relationship needs to be repositioned rather than maintained in its original form. The extent of this change – which stems from real differences between the two parties – remains to be seen.

Conflicts arise from differences. The United States，the largest developed country，is a leader of international rulemaking and a pace-setter for the world's advancement. It is often referred to in this part of the world as the "Big Boss." China，the largest developing country，is a young and promising national power. Through its policy of reform it is closing the gap with the US，ranking second in terms of economic aggregates. The United States feels it is under threat from this rapidly advancing rival. China derives much of its inspiration – and encouragement – from following the path of US development. But potential misjudgments from both sides stem from severe tensions and conflicts between the two countries.

The gaps in the development of the two countries are substantial. China has successfully achieved economic take-off，continuing to grow at a rapid pace for more than three decades. Benefiting from the integration of its economy into the global supply chain，China has undergone substantial development，emerging from poverty and reaching prosperity by drawing from the experience of developed countries，especially the United States. However，it is only a small step on the Long March of development for China. Compared with the United States，China still has much room for improvement in terms of its vertical economic development and horizontal marketization. China，with a long history as a farming civilization based on a traditional and small-scale peasant economy，easily fosters a national psychology of complacency，satisfied with small doses of progress. In the view of one economist，China is competing with itself rather than competing with the United States.

Development models abound. According to one old Chinese saying，people from either side of a mountain hold onto their own customs and language. That is pretty much what we see around the world today. There is a great diversity in the natural environment，climatic conditions，cultural traditions，and the like. These lead to different ways of thinking and different lifestyles. However，these differences need not impede the common pursuit of a better life.