China and the United States Stand at a New Historical Starting Point

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on September 24 that China and the United States were standing at a “new historical starting point” as he attended a welcome banquet hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House.

Speaking at the banquet, Xi noted that Trump had successfully visited China in May. Less than six months later, the two presidents had made reciprocal visits, which Xi described as a development that created a new chapter in the history of China-U.S. exchanges.

Xi said the two leaders had held candid and in-depth discussions during the latest visit and reached a number of new understandings. According to Xi, these discussions further enriched the framework of a constructive and stable strategic relationship between China and the United States and provided new strategic guidance for bilateral ties.

Xi also addressed the different development goals of the two countries. He said that Trump had put forward the goal of “making America great again,” while China was working toward national rejuvenation and advancing Chinese modernization. Xi said the two goals were both ambitious and could reinforce each other.

He called on China and the United States to demonstrate a sense of responsibility as major powers, respond to the expectations of their peoples and the broader trends of the times, and explore a new way for major countries to coexist with one another.

Xi further noted that China and the United States have different histories, cultures, social systems and development paths, while their peoples share aspirations for a better life. He said the two sides should respect their differences, strengthen mutual understanding, learn from each other, expand areas of cooperation and properly manage their differences.

Trump, speaking at the same banquet, highlighted the longstanding ties between the peoples of China and the United States. He said that although the two countries have different political systems, the friendship between their peoples has endured for many years. Trump also said he was willing to work with Xi on the basis of mutual respect and continue developing friendly relations between the two countries.

The banquet was followed by further high-level engagement. On the morning of September 25, Xi and Trump held a tea meeting at the White House. The two sides agreed to further enrich the framework of China-U.S. relations and jointly build a constructive and stable strategic relationship based on respect, fairness and equality.

The latest exchanges come as China-U.S. relations continue to involve both areas of cooperation and significant differences. The extent to which the understandings reached by the two leaders can be translated into concrete cooperation will remain an important focus in the next stage of bilateral relations.

Because of the size and global importance of the Chinese and U.S. economies, developments in their relationship are also closely watched internationally. Trade, technology, supply chains and international affairs are among the areas where policies in either country can have broader effects. The latest high-level meetings have provided another channel for dialogue and for managing differences.

Standing at a new historical starting point, China and the United States face both opportunities and challenges in managing their relationship. Continued dialogue, practical cooperation and efforts to manage differences will remain important as the two countries move forward.