Xie Feng: The 'Right Way' for China-US to Move Ahead as Trump & Xi Meet in Beijing

As Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet today, we have a piece by Xie Feng, China’s Ambassador to the US, in the paper. Xie outlines Beijing’s priorities, while pointing out the “right way” for China and the US to get along in this new era.

He writes:

“President Xi Jinping will soon hold a heads-of-state meeting with US President Donald Trump, who is coming to China for a state visit. This is the first time in 9 years that a US president is again visiting China. Nine years pass in the snap of a finger, and China, the United States, and the world have undergone major and profound changes, fully bearing out the strategic judgment and far-sighted vision of President Xi Jinping regarding ‘profound changes unseen in a century’; nine years of soaring ambition, in which the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has led the people of the whole country in forging ahead with determination and overcoming difficulties, resolutely undertaking a great struggle with many new historical features; nine years of weathering wind and rain, during which President Xi Jinping has, at critical moments, gripped the helm and set the course, guiding the great ship of China-US relations through swift currents and dangerous shoals to break the waves and forge ahead.” 习近平主席即将同来华进行国事访问的美国总统特朗普举行元首会晤。这是美国总统时隔9年再次访华。9年弹指一挥，中国、美国和世界都发生了重大而深刻的变化，充分印证习近平主席关于世界百年未有之大变局的战略判断和远见卓识；9年壮志凌云，以习近平同志为核心的党中央带领全国人民锐意进取、攻坚克难，义无反顾进行具有许多新的历史特点的伟大斗争；9年风雨兼程，习近平主席在关键时刻把舵定向，引领中美关系巨轮穿越急流险滩、破浪前行.

“The 47-year history of diplomatic relations between China and the United States has repeatedly demonstrated that disengagement is simply not an option; that attempting to fundamentally change the other side is unrealistic; and that the consequences of conflict and confrontation are ones that neither side can afford to bear. The principle that ‘cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both’ is a truth tested by practice and common sense; likewise, ‘mutual achievement and shared prosperity’ represents the only correct path forward Against the backdrop of intensifying turbulence in the international situation, the strategic significance of China-US relations becomes all the more prominent. Looking out at the world, whether the task is de-escalating regional hotspots, addressing new challenges in global governance, or pioneering new frontiers for human progress, virtually every major undertaking depends upon a stable, healthy, and sustainable relationship between China and the US. Both nations should demonstrate the broad vision befitting major powers, shoulder the responsibilities incumbent upon them, and play the constructive roles expected of them. They should strive to forge a relationship characterised by strategic depth, constructive engagement, and stability, thereby benefiting the peoples of both countries and answering the call of the times.” 中美建交47年的发展历程一再证明，中美不打交道是不行的，想改变对方是不切实际的，冲突对抗的后果是谁都不能承受的。中美“合则两利、斗则俱伤”是经过实践检验的常识，“相互成就、共同繁荣”是唯一正确的选择。在国际形势动荡加剧背景下，中美关系的战略意义更加凸显。放眼世界，无论是推动地区热点问题降温趋稳，还是应对全球治理新挑战、开拓人类进步新疆域，桩桩件件都离不开一个稳定、健康、可持续发展的中美关系。中美应该展现大国格局、拿出大国担当、发挥大国作用，探索构建具有战略性、建设性、稳定性的中美关系，造福两国人民，回应时代呼唤.

(Note: Do not read this as signalling a desire for a G2 framework. Beijing’s goal is building an “equal and orderly multipolar world”. From Beijing’s perspective, a G2 is impractical and undermines the goal of an “equal and orderly multipolar world” because it fundamentally jettisons the international institutional system. China would rather the system sustain, while Beijing expands its authority through it. A G2 also results in extended commitments, which Beijing is unlikely to be willing to make and distracts from its strategic objective of national rejuvenation.)

“It is necessary to establish correct perceptions. Whether China and the US are partners or rivals is a directional question that determines the development of bilateral relations, and the ‘first button’ must be fastened properly. Viewing the other side from the narrow perspective of zero-sum games, every matter becomes a ‘life-and-death gladiatorial contest’; conversely, viewing each other through the broad perspective of a community with a shared future reveals opportunities for cooperation at every turn. More and more people of insight in the United States recognize that China is not a threat or rival of the United States, but rather an opportunity and a partner. In 2025, multiple US mainstream opinion polls reflected that public opinion regarding China has, for the first time in five years, rebounded positively. A Chicago Council on Global Affairs poll shows that 53% of Americans support cooperation and engagement with China. The latest Pew poll shows that the proportion of the American public holding a positive view of China has nearly doubled in three years, with the proportion among young people higher still. We hope the US side will conform to the will of the people, abandon the Cold War mentality, and resolve to be partners and friends with China.” 要树立正确认知。中美是伙伴还是对手，是决定两国关系发展的方向性问题，必须扣好“第一颗纽扣”。从搞零和博弈狭窄眼界看对方，事事都是“生死角斗”；从命运共同体广阔视野看彼此，处处都是合作机遇。越来越多美国有识之士认识到，中国并非美国的威胁或对手，而是机遇和伙伴。2025年美多家主流民调反映，涉华民意5年来首次正向反弹。芝加哥全球事务委员会民调显示，53%的美国人支持对华合作与接触。最新皮尤民调显示，对中国持正面看法的美国民众3年来几乎翻了一倍，其中年轻人比例更高。希望美方顺应民心，摒弃冷战思维，下决心同中国做伙伴、做朋友.

It is necessary to properly manage differences. China and the US have different national conditions, so it is unavoidable that there will be differences; the key is to respect each other’s core interests and major concerns. The Chinese side always views and handles relations with the United States from the height of responsibility to history, to the people, and to the world; at the same time, we have legitimate rights and interests that must be safeguarded and principled bottom lines that must be held to. Taiwan, democracy and human rights, path and system, and development rights constitute the Chinese side’s four red lines; China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests brook no infringement. The Chinese side demands that the US side, through concrete actions, abide by the One-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, stop the illegal and unreasonable suppression of China in economic-trade, science-technology, and other fields, and stop adopting discriminatory measures such as groundless interrogation, harassment, and deportation against Chinese students, scholars, and other persons traveling to the United States, so as to clear away obstacles to the development of bilateral relations. 要妥善管控分歧。中美国情不同，有分歧在所难免，关键是尊重彼此核心利益和重大关切。中方始终从对历史、对人民、对世界负责的高度看待和处理对美关系，同时我们有必须维护的正当权益、必须坚守的原则底线。台湾、民主人权、道路制度、发展权利就是中方的四条红线，中国的主权、安全和发展利益不容侵犯。中方要求美方以实际行动恪守一个中国原则和中美三个联合公报，停止在经贸、科技等领域对华非法无理遏制打压，停止对中国学生学者等赴美人员采取无端盘查滋扰遣返等歧视性措施，为两国关系发展清除障碍.

(Note: It would be good to understand what Beijing believes are America’s core interests. Is it something specific like economic prosperity or something broader like maintaining hegemony? I would wager that Beijing believes it is the latter and therefore, this constant emphasis on “correct perceptions”. Also, in that case, it’s tough to get grand bargains. But you can get specific deals.)

“It is necessary to actively expand cooperation. Under the new circumstances, the common interests of China and the US have not decreased but rather increased, and the two countries should carry out cooperation in broad fields such as diplomacy, economy and trade, law enforcement, military-to-military, science and technology, AI, public health, and people-to-people exchange, in order to create a constructive tone for bilateral relations. Not long ago I visited the US Midwest and toured a well-known American company that entered the Chinese market back in the 1970s. The company and its Chinese partners complemented each other’s strengths and joined forces powerfully. Not only did the company achieve counter-trend revenue growth in China against the backdrop of declining performance in the North American market, but through introductions by its Chinese partner, they jointly expanded their business into other developing countries, with products sold around the world, achieving the effect of ‘1+1 > 2’ and pioneering a new path of ‘win-win outcomes for both China and the US, and shared success for all parties involved’.” 要积极拓展合作。新形势下，中美共同利益不是减少了而是更多了，两国应该在外交、经贸、执法、两军、科技、人工智能、公共卫生、人文交流等广泛领域开展合作，为双边关系营造建设性基调。前不久我到美国中西部访问，参观一家上世纪70年代就进入中国市场的知名美企。该企业与中国合作伙伴优势互补、强强联手，不仅在北美市场下滑背景下实现在华营收逆势增长，而且在中国合作伙伴的引荐下，共同将业务拓展到了其他发展中国家，产品远销世界各地，实现了“1+1＞2”的效果，走出了一条“中美双赢、多方共赢”的新路径.

“President Xi Jinping has pointed out that the hope of China-US relations lies in the people, the foundation lies among the people, the future lies with the youth, and vitality lies at the local level. President Xi Jinping’s initiative to ‘invite 50,000 American youth to China for exchange and study over five years’ has greatly promoted exchanges between the peoples of the two countries. From young people from Maryland coming to China for pickleball exchanges, to a youth pickleball delegation from Shenzhen being invited to pay a return visit; from the National Ballet of China visiting the US with works such as ‘Celebrating the New Year’ and receiving enthusiastic responses, to a children’s choir from Utah singing ‘As Wished’ at the Temple of Heaven, highlights in China-U.S. cultural and local exchanges have been abundant. ‘Becoming Chinese’ has flooded screens, while ‘Chinamaxxing’ has gone viral. More and more young Americans are discovering a ‘cool China’ and a ‘warm China’, and the broad trend of the peoples of China and the United States rushing toward each other is unstoppable.” 习近平主席指出，中美关系希望在人民，基础在民间，未来在青年，活力在地方。习近平主席提出的“5年邀请5万名美国青少年来华交流学习”倡议，极大促进两国民众交流。从马里兰州青少年来华开展匹克球交流，到深圳青少年匹克球代表团应邀回访；从中国中央芭蕾舞团携《过年》等作品赴美访演引发热烈反响，到犹他州儿童合唱团在天坛唱响《如愿》，中美人文和地方交流亮点纷呈。“成为中国人”刷屏，“极致中国化”出圈，越来越多美国年轻人正发现一个“酷中国”“暖中国”，中美人民双向奔赴的大势不可阻挡.

“There will come a time when the long wind breaks the waves; hoist the cloud-sail straight and cross the vast sea. Head-of-state diplomacy has always been the ‘compass’ and ‘anchor’ of China-US relations. This year is a ‘major year’ for China-US relations, and the two sides will also separately host the informal leadership meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the G20 Leaders’ Summit. We look forward, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, not only to promoting steady and long-term progress in China-U.S. relations this year, but also to exploring in the new era the correct way for China and the United States to get along through mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.” 云帆高悬破巨浪，再踏层峰辟新天。元首外交始终是中美关系的“指南针”和“定盘星”。今年是中美关系的“大年”，双方还将分别主办亚太经合组织领导人非正式会议和二十国集团领导人峰会。我们期待在两国元首战略引领下，不仅推动今年中美关系行稳致远，而且探索新时期中美相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢的正确相处之道.