18 BEIJING REVIEW APRIL 20, 2017 http://www.bjreview.com
helped build mutual trust between the two gov-
ernments and lay a smooth path for solving the
two nationsí existing disagreements.
Both before his election and since taking
office, Trump has stated a policy of shrinking
U.S. involvement overseas and reducing U.S.
intervention overseas. Offensive methods such
as bombing Syria are only an approach used to
achieve strategic retrenchment. The Trump ad-
ministrationís latest move toward Syria is more
like a response under heavy domestic political
pressure, as Trump has been accused of be-
ing ìsoftî on Russia. Though the United States
bombed a Syrian airfield, it is very unlikely to
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The strategic retrenchment advocated
by the Trump administration is due to the
comparative decline of U.S. national strength,
though the worldís only superpower still tries to
maintain its overseas clout.
A warming in China-U.S. relations doesnít
mean China will tilt toward the United States.
Instead, China seeks a more balanced relation-
ship with the United States. China will not ignore
its relationship with Russia, with whom it shares
a long border.
I am confident of peace and prosperity in
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both China and the United States.îSergey Trush,
leading scientist,
Center for Regional
Problems, Institute
for U.S. and Canada
Studies, Russian
Academy of
Sciences:
As far as I can see,
the Xi-Trump meet-
ing was successful. Though I havenít got
detailed information about their talks, the
meeting has given the outside world a posi-
tive impression. Political interaction is veryJia Lieying,
Director, School
of International
Relations,
Beijing Language
and Culture
University:
The visit was suc-
cessful as proven
by the positive
comments of
many scholars
from home and abroad. Their face-to-face
meetings contribute to the improvement of
bilateral relations as it helps to enhance mu-
tual understanding and reduce uncertainty.
China and the United States have already
developed sound economic and people-
to-people relations, as the two nations are
each otherís largest trading partner, from
which the two have benefited a lot. During
the latest meeting, the two sides agreed to
enhance military exchanges, which is of par-
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the two sides also agreed to establish a high-
level diplomatic and security dialogue to
promote mutual understanding. Exchanges
of such high frequency will surely deepen
mutual trust.
Despite President Trumpís harsh cam-
paign rhetoric, I believe China-U.S. relations
will develop in a positive direction. Trumpís
call to ìmake America great againî is in
alignment with the Chinese dream put forth
by President Xi with both relying on compre-
hensive social and economic development
of the two nations. In the meantime, close
coordination between the two countries
is vital to maintaining world peace and
prosperity.
Not long before, during his first of-
ficial visit to China, U.S. Secretary of State
Rex Tillerson said bilateral ties should be
based on the principles of no conflict, noconfrontation, mutual respect and win-win
cooperation. These principles were actually
ĶUVWSURSRVHGE\3UHVLGHQW;LWRIRUPHU86
President Barack Obama as the future para-
digm of China-U.S. ties at their meeting in
California in 2013.
In my view, large nations should assume
more responsibility in bringing peace to the
Middle East. The Chinese Government is
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and also opposed to airstrikes on Syrian
government forces before the truth is deter-
mined. The poignant consequences of the
Syrian crisis are the rampant spread of ter-
rorism as well as the refugee crisis.
The Syrian crisis should be settled
through political dialogues which need co-
operation among major nation states. China
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efforts to facilitate settlement of the crisis.
If the presidents of the United States and
Russia can hold constructive talks as soon
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ence on regional and world peace.Mei Xinyu,
researcher, Trade &
Economic Relations
Department,
Chinese Academy
of International
Trade and Economic
Cooperation, Ministry
of Commerce:
The meetings took place just two and a
half months after Trumpís taking office on
January 20, making it the earliest meetings
ever between a newly elected U.S. president
and his Chinese counterpart. It is also a good
omen for the bilateral relations that Trump
will visit China within the year.
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line the problem. During their meetings, the
two sides had very candid talks, and this has+RZóZLOOóWKHóILUVWóIDFHWRIDFHóPHHWLQJVóEHWZHHQó&KLQHVHó3UHVLGHQWó;Ló-LQSLQJóDQGóKLVó
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agency Sputnik in Beijing on April 10, Chinese and Russian experts on international
relations shared their views. Edited excerpts of which are as follow:
COVER STORY