A confrontational posture, on the contrary, will have far-reaching negative impact. Washington's so-called pivot to Asia has actually emboldened a few Asian countries to pick up fights with China over territorial disputes, causing regional instability.

Nevertheless, the two countries share more consensuses than differences. They are exploring closer ties by enhancing military cooperation, negotiating a historic bilateral investment treaty, and facilitating the exchange of students and tourists.

Instead of a so-called "trial," 2016 will usher in new opportunities for lifting bilateral relations, and the new US president will find a stronger partner in China's more mature leadership.

Public perception, however, sometimes deviates from the reality of bilateral relations. American politicians are adept at China-bashing in election campaigns as a political maneuver. But such kind of campaign rhetoric cannot be taken as promises for action once they win the White House.

In the meantime, news writers and observers will roll out various forecasts of the future path of China-US engagement. Regrettably, the plain truth makes no eye-catching headline like that of The Diplomat article.

But truth is truth. Despite occasional doubts and frictions, the two countries will work together to take bilateral cooperation to the next level.