Ruan Zongze with the China Institute of International Studies says the timing of the Chinese President's visit to Washington comes at an important time.
"President Xi Jinping's trip comes as the US prepares for next year's election, while at the same time, reforms in China continue to progress. A successful visit will be significant for the development of both bilateral ties and peace in the Asia-Pacific and the world."
September's trip will be Xi Jinping's first official state visit to the US after becoming Chinese president nearly 3-years ago.
It's expected the two sides will mainly focus on how to avoid conflict and confrontation as the world's major powers.
Professor Ruan Zongze says cooperation still remains the main goal of bilateral ties, despite ups and downs between the two sides on variouis issues.
"China and the US have seen their cooperation deepen and expand into broader areas. As an example, the talks about Iran's nuclear programs went far beyond expectations."
He says while divergence between the two sides are likely to continue for some time, there is a growing convergence of interests.
Ruan Zongze notes official exchanges between the two side are much more frequent than before.
He's also suggesting it will be important for lawmakers in the US to take an objective view of China's expanded foreign policy platform.
"It's important for the US to observe China's increasingly active participation in world affairs in an objective manner. The media and academic circles in the two countries should also be working to increase communication and exchanges."
Ruan Zongze, aside from being associated with the Chinese Institute of International Relations, also served as a Minister Councilor at the Chinese embassy in Washington from July 2007 to December 2011.
