Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing this week, emphasizing the need for \"major country responsibilities\" to address global challenges. The high-stakes meeting—part of Blinken’s three-day diplomatic trip—highlighted efforts to steer the world’s two largest economies toward cooperation amid long-standing tensions.
The \"First Button\" of Bilateral Ties
Xi stressed that U.S.-China relations must be anchored in mutual respect and win-win collaboration, comparing the partnership to \"buttoning a shirt correctly from the start.\" \"China is happy to see a confident, open, and thriving U.S.,\" he said, urging Washington to view Beijing’s development positively.
\"Competition should be about common progress, not a zero-sum game,\" Xi added, cautioning against \"small circles\" of exclusion. Wang Yiwei, a professor at Renmin University, noted that U.S. perceptions of China as a threat risk destabilizing ties: \"Changing this mindset is crucial.\"
Five-Point Plan to Ease Tensions
The two nations agreed to:
Accelerate climate cooperation, including a visit by China’s climate envoy to the U.S.
Launch an AI governance dialogue and Asia-Pacific consultations
Expand cultural exchanges and address regional security issues
However, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated that Taiwan remains the \"first red line\" in bilateral relations, urging the U.S. to halt arms sales to the island. He also criticized U.S. trade measures targeting Chinese industries.
Why It Matters
With 2024 marking 45 years of diplomatic ties, Xi framed the relationship as pivotal for global peace: \"We must be partners, not rivals.\" Analysts like Su Xiaohui see the talks as a signal that \"China prefers dialogue over rivalry\" to stabilize ties.
