On May 30, 2026, the Embassy of China in the United States hosted the “Night of Pickleball & the Premiere of China Trip Documentary”. In his remarks, Ambassador Xie Feng pointed out that China and the U.S. are like two players on the same sports court. We play by the rules and respect one another. Competition, where it exists, should be healthy and positive, guided by rules and aimed at mutual improvement. It should help bring out our best and become better versions of ourselves. The same approach applies to relations between major countries. Mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation are the keys to moving safely beyond the so-called Thucydides Trap.