Obama's opportunity

US President Barack Obama began his second term on Sunday, with daunting tasks facing him both at home and abroad. Some believe Obama, now more confident, may be emboldened to take a harder line on foreign policies. However, when it comes to Sino-US relations, caution and a win-win strategy would be more pertinent.

During his first presidential term, economic and people-to-people ties between China and the United States deepened thanks to the efforts from both sides. But owing to his administration's penchant for unilateral actions and disregard of China's core interests and major concerns, Obama has failed to enhance the strategic trust between the two nations, which has led to more strategic distrust.

Washington's strategic rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific has considerably complicated the territorial disputes in both the East and South China seas, resulting in clear and present threats to China's core national interests.