A new beginning in Sino-US ties
- By Sajjad Malik
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 10, 2017
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Chinese President Xi Jinping walks with U.S. President Donald Trump after a second round of meetings at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, April 7, 2017. The two discuss bilateral cooperation during their stroll. [Photo: Xinhua/Lan Hongguang, Rao Aimin] |
President Xi Jinping's crucial meeting with Donald Trump has been hailed as a new dawn in the bilateral relationship. It was undoubtedly a bold step on Xi's part to undertake a visit in the first place, meeting a man who hadn't spared a moment to bash China - both on the campaign trail and after winning election.
Xi used his political experience and determination to bring a change in the attitude of his American counterpart during his stay at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Mr. Trump, with a reputation for impulsive action and embarrassing visiting foreign dignitaries, was calm and behaved in style befitting a leader of a major power.
Their meeting proceeded so well that, by the time Xi left, Mr. Trump was claiming to have cultivated a deep understanding with his Chinese guest. As evidence of success, he also accepted an invitation to pay a state visit to China, which is likely to take place before the end of this year.
The body language was very positive on both sides. The usual Trump brashness was replaced by elaborate keenness to put his guest at ease and create an ambience for deep exchanges.
The visit was thus able to initiate a change in the nature of the bilateral ties. A couple of weeks ago, it appeared that U.S. might resort to unilateral measures to restore balanced trade and improve the worrying security situation on the Korean peninsula. In the end, such worries were unnecessary.
There were several positive developments. To begin with, Mr. Trump, simply by the act of meeting Xi, has officially reaffirmed the one-China policy. He has diplomatically accepted the strategic status quo in relations that had prevailed prior to the start of his presidency. Hopefully, there will be no more direct telephonic interactions with the leaders of Taiwan and no further public bashing of China.
Mr. Trump had earlier threatened to leverage political relations to get economic benefits, as he was unhappy with the whopping $347 billion trade deficit between the two countries. He had also accused China of being a currency "manipulator." China had already rejected the allegations and Xi succeeded in driving home the message that face-to-face talks are the only way to sort out differences.
Hence, the agreement to discuss the trade issues in the next 100 days to see how various problems can be addressed. It is a big achievement in that they are seeking a negotiated settlement of trade matters instead of taking unilateral action.
The most enduring aspect of the meeting is restoration of the mutual trust and a commitment to further cooperation. The trust-deficit has been replaced with confidence, which is sure to create further goodwill and lead to an easing of tensions.
I should also mention the Syrian strikes. For many analysts, the timing was designed to send a message to China over North Korea. And, let us not ignore another aspect, relating to the worsening of relations between the U.S. and Russia. By default, it has increased the importance of China for both Washington and Moscow.
With all the symbolism attached to the strikes, Americans may not be in a position to simultaneously fracture ties with Russia and China. That could be one of the reasons that North Korea was not mentioned publically during the summit, although the two leaders must surely have discussed it.
The differences are part and parcel of inter-state relations. But both sides avoided open talk on strategic and economic differences. This is another good sign. I think that, with trust restored, it has been left for the high officials of the two countries to smooth the rough edges so the overall relationship can move in a positive direction.
The future of the relations was summed up by Xi in the following way: "There are a thousand reasons to make the China-U.S. relationship a success, and not a single reason to break it." China has shown desire and willingness to move forward by choosing cooperation.
The response from the U.S. side has been positive. Hence, there are reasons to be optimistic that a new phase in ties will be good not only for Sino-U.S bilateral ties but also for global peace and prosperity.
Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:
http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SajjadMalik.htm
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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