BEIJING: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will begin his second China visit in less than a year. His first stop is Shanghai, where the historic Shanghai Communique was issued 52 years ago.
This document marked the inception of normalized relations between China and the United States. It demonstrated that two major countries with distinct social systems could find common ground and strive for peaceful coexistence.
As a major follow-up to the recent phone talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden, Blinken’s visit is expected to help stabilize bilateral relations in the spirit of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, as embodied in the Communique.
There has been a notable shift in the bilateral dynamic since his last visit in June 2023, reflecting a departure from a historic low point a year ago.
Bilateral relations is beginning to stabilize after the San Francisco summit between the two heads of state last year. However, plenty of animosity remains, primarily fueled by Washington’s adherence to a zero-sum mindset and framing China as a threat.
A healthy and stable China-U.S. relationship requires the right perception of each other and tangible actions from both sides, consistent with the consensus of two heads of state.
The relationship between China and the United States has encountered substantial headwinds in recent years. Blame U.S. politicians, whose perceptions of China as a long-term strategic competitor and “most consequential geopolitical challenge” are deeply flawed.
Rather than seeing China as a “legitimate contender,” as recently argued by the online news magazine The Diplomat, Washington’s fear of China’s growth has passed the point of rationality.
This irrational fear of China’s growth has led Washington to adopt increasingly antagonistic policies and rhetoric, further straining bilateral relations.
Undoubtedly, there is competition between China and the United States, particularly in economic and trade area. However, China does not accept the notion that their ties should be solely defined by competition, as this narrative does not encapsulate the entirety or essence of the world’s most important bilateral relationship.
Meanwhile, any competition must have clear boundaries and be fair. It should be conducted within established rules and refrain from undermining the developmental capacities and legitimate rights of others. China aspires to healthy competition that fosters mutual improvement, not rivalry aimed at mutual destruction.
Blinken’s forthcoming visit to China follows closely on the heels of U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s second trip to China within a year. In fact, since the San Francisco summit, China and the United States have engaged in significant exchanges across multiple levels and fields, with the two militaries resuming communication and dialogues.
