Even though an epoch-making transformation of China-US relations is at hand, Americans, particularly elites and politicians, cannot accept theharsh reality of US decline.After fighting for global hegemony for a century, the country had emerged in the last two decades as sole superpower.From a British colony to a superpower reinforced by a national narrative of being the "good guys" of the world, the US is overly-confident of its position while hypersensitive to rivals.That the success story won' t end, that the US won' t decline and never will become the second power became the political chant as November elections neared.Reasonable, realistic adjustment of position that can bring about the stable development of bilateral relations is hampered by this strategic and cultural mentality.