Populism and protectionism are on the rise across the world. Some recent developments in Europe and the election of Donald Trump as US president seem to have added strength to the voices opposed to globalization. These are huge challenges confronting the world. What makes these challenges more complicated is the quality and complexity of global interdependence today.

Advances in information and communications technology, transportation, the development and spread of nuclear weapons, and the degradation of the global environment have made the world more interdependent than ever before as well as more vulnerable.

These global challenges cannot be overcome without the efforts of all parties, for which multilateral negotiations and efficient global institutions are necessary. And no issue, whether it be climate change, nuclear proliferation, cybersecurity or global trade, can be resolved without Sino-US cooperation.