On May 3, 2012, State Councilor Dai Bingguo said during the strategic dialogue under the framework of the fourth round of the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) that under new circumstances China and the US, as countries with major influence in Asia Pacific, should strengthen sound interactions in the region.

He noted that Asia Pacific is the place where China establishes itself and pursues peaceful development. Without peace, stability and prosperity in Asia Pacific, tranquility and development of China would be impossible. Asia Pacific is the region where interests of China and the US are most concentrated and the two countries have the most frequent interactions. The building of a new type of relationship between China and the US should start from Asia Pacific.

He said that interactions between China and the US in Asia Pacific should uphold the following principles: first, mutual respect and mutual trust; second, equality, mutual benefit, harmonious coexistence and common development; third, promoting the development of regional cooperation mechanisms in an open, inclusive and step by step manner; fourth, seeking common ground while reserving differences and sharing responsibilities, building security through cooperation and properly handling regional hotspot issues.

He pointed out that China and the US are not seeking a G2 and will not dominate the world or engage in conflict or confrontation. But China and the US can build a C2 to strengthen communications, coordination and cooperation and try to explore a brand new pattern of peaceful coexistence, close cooperation and common development.