Using the EP-3 Crisis (2001) and the USS Kitty Hawk encounter (2006) as case studies of Sino–US relations and its crisis management mechanism, this article argues that rather than presenting insurmountable roadblocks to bilateral cooperation, crises have presented significant opportunities for both states to learn from mistakes that may have inadvertently escalated a particular situation. Through explaining the different responses from both sides in both case study situations as well as their impacts, we argue that China and the US have become better equipped to weather future crises that carry the potential to seriously damage their relationship.

從EP-3撞機事件到小鷹號事件中美危機管理傳訊機制的演化

本文通過EP-3撞機事件（2001年）及「小鷹號」事件（2006年）兩個案例，分析中國和美國的危機管理手法及其互動，並探討雙方分別對事件的應對，來瞭解危機管理對中美關係的影響。從中可見中美兩國雖然屢屢發生磨擦，但危機並無礙兩國進行雙邊合作，反而雙方均能從危機中學習，避免不慎把緊張關係升級，因此即使未來再出現同類危機，相信中美雙方也有相應機制渡過難關。