Chinese Vice President Han Zheng struck an optimistic tone this week, declaring that China and the U.S. 'can and should' become partners and friends during a high-profile meeting with Oregon State Senate President Rob Wagner in Beijing. The talks spotlighted efforts to stabilize relations amid global tensions.
Common Ground Over Conflict
🔑 Han emphasized 'broad common interests' between the two nations, echoing recent diplomatic progress made through leader-level phone calls. He urged mutual respect and 'win-win cooperation' to redefine how the world's largest economies interact in what he called the 'new era.'
Oregon’s Role in Diplomacy
🌉 Highlighting Oregon's long-standing ties with China, Han praised the state as a model for subnational collaboration. Wagner reciprocated, revealing Oregon passed a bill to deepen cooperation – a move aligning with China's push for grassroots cultural and economic exchanges.
Why It Matters
💡 With U.S.-China relations often compared to a geopolitical rollercoaster, this meeting signals a pragmatic focus on shared goals – think climate action, tech innovation, and youth exchanges. As Wagner put it: 'Cooperation at the local level is where real impact happens.'
