ABSTRACT
Relations between great powers exhibited complexity with the combination of competition and cooperation, mutual reliance and mutual restriction. China made its efforts in stability and development of its relations with major powers by actively promoting Sino-US constructive cooperation, the Sino-Russia strategic partnership, the Sino-EU comprehensive strategic partnership and developing Sino-Japan strategic relations for mutual benefit. In the strategic layout of China's diplomacy in the new century, the great powers were the key. The diplomacy against the United States was the pivot of the key and the most important part of China's diplomacy. Sino-US relations were in stable transition in the first year of the Obama administration, but disturbed in the second year and were positioned by the two heads of state to be the "partnership through mutual respect and win-win cooperation". Sino-Japanese relations began to structurally change and resulted in the new characteristics of "cold in politics but warm in economy" in bilateral relations since the 21st century.
