RE-CONCEPTUALIZING SINO-AMERICAN RELATIONS Jia Qingguo（29） How to depict the nature and patterns of development of Sino-American relations is a controversial issue. In general one can identify three basic views: (1) that the relationship is basically friendly; (2) that it is basically hostile; and (3) that like a pendulum it swings between excessive friendship and undue hostility. This essay first sketches these three views. Then it critically examines these views against some historical facts. Finally, it attempts to identify and analyze some deeper, structural factors shaping the relationship and on that basis proposes a new explanatory model. According to the new model, the Sino-American relationship is neither friendly nor hostile and its shifts are not as extreme and regular as the pendulum analogy would suggest. Instead, it moves between limited conflicts and cooperation. The new model also argues that the role of the two governments in shaping the relationship between the two countries is greater than what the traditional views are ready to admit.