Not too late for a shift in Western perceptions of China
China DailyPhoto taken on Oct 28, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, DC, the United States. In the corridors of Washington, there is a palpable fear of China, one deeply entrenched in the notion that China harbors ambitions for global dominance akin to those of the US. In essence, China's goals diverge from those of the US, and it is within this disparity of intentions that lies the potential to sidestep the "Thucydides trap". Rather than perceiving China's resurgence as a challenge to their dominance, the US and other Western countries can regard it as an opportunity to construct a more inclusive and fair global system. However, if the US and other Western countries acknowledge China's unique approach to power and prioritize collaboration over competition, while China remains guided by its traditional wisdom, the world could usher in an unprecedented era of progress.