C OvER STORY
O
n April 6 and 7, Chinese President
Xi Jinping and US President Don-
ald Trump met for the first time at
Mar-a-Lago, Florida. Interviewed by ChinaRe-
port, Su Ge, president of the China Institute
of International Studies, said that the Sino-US
relationship affects the whole world, and that
the meeting sent a positive signal about the re-
lationship’s future direction.ChinaReport: The Trump administration has yet to fully develop
its China policy, so will the Trump-Xi meeting affect the administra-
tion’s China policy and even its overall policy towards Asia?
Su Ge: The Sino-US relationship is not just a bilateral one, but one
which affects the entire world. With its strength relatively declining in
the global balance of power, America becomes less self-assured, and
has thus changed from a traditional “constant” into a “variable” in
the international pattern. China is catching up in terms of national
strength, facilitating a turn in the strategic situation.
This means that their strategic competition is bound to increase,
but in the meantime both sides have no intention of engaging in con-
flict or confrontation. The meeting signalled that they are willing to
control differences and expand cooperation.
China, for its part, should have strategic patience. As a result of
increased national strength and all-round diplomacy, it sees its ability
to shape the Sino-US relations growing.
CR: As of September 2015, nearly 100 mechanisms for dialogue
had been established between China and the US. It was mentioned at
the meeting that the two countries should make full use of four newly
established high-level dialogue mechanisms, including a diplomatic
security dialogue and comprehensive economic dialogue. Does this
mean that the existing dialogue mechanisms have been redesigned?
SG: After over 40 years of developing diplomatic ties, China and
the US have developed many important platforms for exchange.
Looking into the future, the Trump-Xi meeting will determine the
overall direction of Sino-US exchanges. The high-level, strategic con-
tact in the four fields, as reflected by the four dialogue mechanisms,
are also four critical platforms for the future. Under them, the two
sides will carry out exchange at all lower levels.
The two countries should strengthen communication. Only in this
way can they better understand each other and determine the general
direction of cooperation. When a difference arises, they can, through
communication, pinpoint its source and work to control it. More
importantly, they can enhance strategic mutual trust and have more
chances for cooperation through such exchanges.CR: This year marks a turn in the Sino-US relationship, bringing
about challenges as well as opportunities. So what’s your take on the
relationship’s future direction?
SG: I think generally the two sides will seek progress in the relation-
ship amidst stability.
As both are permanent members of the UN Security Council,
China and the US share a significant and particular responsibility
for regional and international peace, security and prosperity. China
is willing to work with the US to meet varied global challenges and
strengthen communication and cooperation on regional hot-spot is-
sues. Both should play a constructive role in maintaining Asia-Pacific’s
peace, stability and prosperity.
Given largely different national conditions, the two countries
should view each other’s strategic intentions rationally and respect each
other’s core interests and major concerns. This is a significant prereq-
uisite for the bilateral ties’ sound development. In international affairs,
China advocates that a human community with a common future be
built by following an open, inclusive road of win-win cooperation. A
peacefully rising China shouldn’t be seen as a threat to America. The
zero-sum games and cold-war mentality should be abandoned. We
hope America can welcome China’s development with an accommo-
dating mind and find opportunities for cooperation.
Divergences between the two countries are inevitable, due to their
different national conditions. They should seek common ground,
draft long-term strategies, and never shake up the basis of the bilateral
relationship because of a single incident. When they have conflicts of
interest, they should try to resolve them through equal-footed consul-
tation and negotiation. Even with the structurally irreconcilable con-
flicts, they must try to control them and prevent “misfiring.” Seeking
progress and win-win cooperation while maintaining stability is in the
fundamental interests of China and the US.
“With effective cooperation, China and the US can fundamentally
safeguard the world’s stability and peace,” said President Xi Jinping.
The successful and fruitful Mar-a-Lago summit has instilled a much-
needed certainty in the future direction of the Sino-US relationship,
as well as providing long-anticipated positive energy for the develop-
ment of the international order.Xi-Trump Summit
Su ge: China ‘Sees Ability to Shape Sino-uS Relations growing’
The two countries should respect each other’s core interests and major concerns
By Wang Qilong