from government to ordinary citizens, china has a very friendly feeling and policy towards america. no one wants to see america collapse. a strong US economy helps the whole world, esp china.

but you can't say the same on the reverse.

the mainstream view is still a stable and prosperous china is in the interest of america, but more and more opposite voices are coming out, esp during an economy turmoil.

many worry china's success sets a bad example for other developing nations. the ideological factor perhaps weighs more than economic ones.

the downhill trend of sino-us relationship is widely expected after obama moved into oval office. the best period during bush era was past.

still most hope the frictions won't go too far, as in the saying by zhu rongji (or qian qichen):

"the relationship will never be too good, nor too bad".

but it takes two to make a deal. it's in obama's hands to decide whether to engage or confront.

the hardball strategy really serves no one good and could be risky. west world is not that strongly united on china policy. if the us market is restricted and EU allies also, china can turn to asia, pacific, africa, and latin america.