China and the US can work together to accomplish more great and concrete things

On Thursday local time, President Xi Jinping had a meeting with US President Donald J. Trump in Busan. The two leaders held in-depth discussions on strategic and long-term issues concerning China-US relations, as well as major topics of shared interest. This meeting, which drew "intense global attention," was promptly covered and analyzed by major media outlets worldwide. Observers widely regarded the meeting as a "milestone" in China-US relations that will help "stabilize global sentiment and trade expectations, which offers a relief for global demand and supply chain." The irreplaceable strategic guiding role of head-of-state diplomacy in China-US relations was once again highlighted.

This was an important strategic communication held at a critical juncture in China-US relations. The meeting, lasting one hour and 40 minutes, yielded positive outcomes and reached an important consensus, holding profound significance for both China and the US as well as for the world. It not only addressed specific bilateral concerns, but also reaffirmed, at a strategic level, how China and the US should get along with each other. The discussion provided new guidance and momentum for the stable development of bilateral ties and enhanced the world's common expectations for the further stabilization of China-US relations. As President Xi profoundly stated during the meeting, "China and the US should be partners and friends. This is what history has taught us and what reality needs."

"Over the past seven decades and more, we have been working from generation to generation on the same blueprint to make it a reality. We have no intention to challenge or supplant anyone. Our focus has always been on managing China's own affairs well, improving ourselves, and sharing development opportunities with all countries across the world," Xi said. These words deeply articulate China's fundamental development goals and approach.

In the past few years, many of the practical difficulties in China-US ties have largely stemmed from misguided perceptions of China among some people in the US. The so-called views emerging in the US, such as that "China's economy has peaked and is in decline" or that "China seeks to replace the US as a new hegemon," have distorted perceptions of China and seriously undermined the atmosphere for discussing China-related issues. Yet, the facts speak for themselves. Regardless of external changes, China's economy continues to show a sound and upward trajectory and its high-quality development remains a source of opportunity for the world, including the US. China's development and revitalization goes hand in hand with the vision to "Make America Great Again," and the two countries are fully able to help each other succeed and prosper together.

A recent Chicago Council on Global Affairs poll showed that a majority of Americans (53 percent) now say the US should undertake friendly cooperation and engagement with China. Respondents widely view the US-China relationship as the most consequential bilateral relationship in the world, and Americans' views of China are beginning to improve after several years of sharp declines. According to the South China Morning Post, this is the first time since 2019 that a majority of Americans surveyed said they preferred a policy of "friendly" cooperation and engagement with China.

This indicates that while some in Washington keep demonizing China, a return to simple, rational and mutually beneficial aspirations is emerging within US society. It is widely anticipated that this meeting will contribute to fostering more rational judgments on numerous China-related issues and cultivate greater recognition of outcomes conducive to mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between China and the US.

During the meeting, President Xi emphasized that the two sides should think big and recognize the long-term benefit of cooperation and must not fall into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation. History has repeatedly demonstrated that there are no insurmountable hurdles or unmanageable issues between China and the US. Based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, the two countries can certainly build a constructive relationship grounded in a long-term vision.

Recent twists and turns in China-US economic and trade relations have also further validated the mutually beneficial nature of the economic ties between the two countries. The consensus reached during the meeting on specific issues, such as fentanyl control cooperation, expanding agricultural trade and addressing individual cases involving relevant enterprises, fully demonstrates the inevitable trend that China-US bilateral economic and trade relations will only strengthen, not weaken. Economic and trade cooperation should continue to serve as the ballast and propulsion engine of China-US relations, not as a stumbling block or conflict point.

Amid the current complex international landscape, the international community has an increasingly strong expectation for China and the US to assume leadership roles. As President Xi stated, "the world today is confronted with many tough problems. China and the US can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world.'' This is not merely feasible but imperative. Cooperation between China and the US in areas, ranging from combating illegal immigration and telecommunications fraud to anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence and tackling infectious diseases, is crucial to the well-being and future of people in both nations and the world at large. Together, the two countries can achieve great things.

During this meeting, President Xi emphasized that in the face of winds, waves and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-US relations. US President Trump expressed his hope for an even better future for both China and the US, noting that with joint efforts, the two countries can get many great things done for the world. As the world's most important bilateral relationship, people look forward to China and the US making new and greater contributions to world peace and development under the strong strategic leadership of the two heads of state.