China's ties with the United States have grown increasingly tighter as the two countries have more and more mutual

interests in the areas of the economy, trade, technology and international affairs. The two countries also seem to be

getting to know each other better. At the same time, the people from the two countries have different understandings. Here

are the opinions on Sino-U.S. relations of those interviewed by Beijing Review reporters Chen Wen in New York and Ding Ying in Beijing.

Kate Laskowitz-Weingart

(Professor Emerita, Purdue University; Adjunct Instructor, Florida Atlantic University)

I believe that the 21st century will be the Chinese century and that it behooves our government to build many ties and bridges between the United States and China. Clearly the economic interests of both our countries are already integrated, and that should only increase. Yet, there is even more need to increase understanding, both ways, to enable our leaders and citizens to further understand the Chinese people, and for the Chinese people to understand the United States. These ties should be increased in the area of joint projects to include: partnering opportunities in education; technological and scientific areas; and business and commercial opportunities; along with increasing sister city communication and tourism.

If China and the United States could put together a mutual plan to reduce pollution, poverty and AIDS, I am sure such plans could really make a major impact in these critical areas. Clean air and clean water are essential for our lives, and again, if China and the United States could make bilateral agreements in these areas, the world would be a much better place.

I have not seen any major movements from the Chinese to dominate and enforce their domination through military means, whereas the United States has recently used military means to dominate other regions. Yet, unfortunately I think there are fears growing in the United States about the increased strength of the Chinese economy and potential military force. In order to counteract these fears, we need to increase our understanding of each other. This can only be done with the full support of the government and other leaders in both countries.

Randall Stempler

(An attorney who has been to China many times)

Americans have very different views. A lot of people are probably not that concerned about U.S.-China relations. In general, I don't think there are many people focusing on U.S.-China relations. Some Americans do think that their jobs are lost because of trade with China, but there are people who are in favor of free trade. It really varies.

Betty Lockhart

(Retired, formerly a probation officer, social worker and mental health worker, who has contact with Chinese students at Yale University and is interested in China)

I don't see how people could not be interested in China. It's such a significant country. I think there are inevitable events coming up that require the government to begin to pay more attention to China. The events include global warming and the increasing industrialization in China.

I think that we could eventually have very serious issues that we would have to resolve. I don't think I would use the word enemy at all. We'll work with China, particularly on global warming. Our national interests in the United States and in China may make these issues difficult. I think the average person in the United States has a very positive feeling about China. I'm 68 years old. I remember when we didn't understand China. I think Americans then were a little afraid of China. That was a long time ago, when I was a little girl. But not now, not at all.

Robert Stover

(A self-employed businessman who has small-business operations in China)

The biggest problem (in current China-U.S. relations) we face is that there is not a level playing field economically. Of course, business people such as myself are taking advantage of the situation, but it is mostly to survive. If we didn't, we would lose our businesses. This is not China's or the United States' fault. It is the world markets and free trade agreements that make it possible and a lot of goods have come from it, mostly low-cost goods for middle and lower class U.S. citizens that they could not otherwise afford. They have and continue to overspend, but that is not China's fault and it is a completely different story.