China and the United States establish a new positioning for "constructive strategic stable relationship"

    1. Summary of core events
      On the morning of May 14, 2026, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with U.S. President Trump, who was in China for a state visit.
      During the talks, the two heads of state agreed to build a "constructive strategic stable relationship between China and the United States"  as the new positioning of Sino-US relations and provide strategic guidance for Sino-US relations in the next three years and even longer.
     Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun further explained at a regular press conference that day that China and the United States have reached a consensus on building a new positioning to provide strategic guidance for Sino-US relations in the next three years and even longer.
 
     2. Four connotations of "constructive strategic stability"
     Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun systematically explained this concept when answering a question from a Reuters reporter.
     1. Positive stability based on cooperation
    That is, China and the United States should promote the development of bilateral relations with cooperation as the main line, rather than confrontation as the dominant model.
    2. Healthy stability with moderate competition
    The competition between the two countries in the fields of economy, trade, science and technology is objective, but this competition should be maintained within controllable limits and reasonable limits to avoid turning into a vicious confrontation.
    3. Normal stability with controllable differences
    Structural differences between China and the United States are the norm, but this norm should be kept within a "controllable" range. The Taiwan issue has been clearly listed by President Xi Jinping as "the most important issue in Sino-US relations"-if handled well, the relationship between the two countries can maintain overall stability, and if not handled well, the two countries will collide or even conflict.
    4. Peace and lasting stability
    This statement emphasizes long-term stability expectations and aims to provide certainty for companies, investors from both countries and the international community.
    During the talks, President Xi Jinping emphasized that "China-US constructive strategic stable relations" is not a slogan, but should be actions in the opposite direction.
    This statement means that China not only hopes to reach a conceptual consensus, but also expects the United States to respond in terms of practical actions.
    3. Key issues during the talks and statements of all parties
    (1) President Xi Jinping's core statement
      Positioning Sino-US relations:Xi Jinping proposed that whether China and the United States can overcome the "Thucydides Trap" and create a new paradigm of major-country relations is a question of history, the world, and the people. He is willing to work with Trump to lead and steer the ship of Sino-US relations, so that 2026 will become a historic and landmark year for Sino-US relations to carry forward the past and open up the future
    Bottom line on the Taiwan issue:Xi Jinping clearly warned that "Taiwan independence" and peace across the Taiwan Strait are incompatible. Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the greatest common denominator of both China and the United States. The United States must handle the Taiwan issue with caution.
    Economic and trade cooperation:Xi Jinping pointed out that "facts have repeatedly proved that there are no winners in trade wars." The essence of Sino-US economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win results. In the face of differences and frictions, equal consultation is the only correct choice. Yesterday, the economic and trade teams of the two countries reached overall balanced and positive results, which is good news for the people of the two countries and the world.

     (2) Trump's statement
    Trump said during the talks: "It is a great honor to pay a state visit to China. The relationship between the United States and China is very good. President Xi Jinping and I have established the longest and best relationship between the heads of state of the United States and China in history, maintained friendly communication, and solved many important issues. President Xi Jinping is a great leader, China is a great country, and I respect President Xi Jinping and the China people very much." Trump expressed his willingness to work with President Xi Jinping to strengthen communication and cooperation, properly resolve differences, and "start the best U.S. -China relationship in history."
    It is worth noting that Trump also specifically mentioned bringing outstanding representatives of the American business community and actively encouraged them to expand cooperation with China.
   The two heads of state also exchanged views on major international and regional issues such as the situation in the Middle East, the Ukraine crisis, and the Korean Peninsula, and agreed to support each other in hosting this year's APEC Leaders 'Informal Meeting and the G20 Summit.
     (3) China-US economic and trade achievements
     The day before the heads of state talks (May 13), the Sino-US economic and trade teams held the seventh round of economic and trade consultations in Seoul. On May 12, China and the United States simultaneously issued the "Joint Statement on the China-US Economic and Trade Talks in Geneva." The core achievement was that the United States suspended 24%"reciprocal tariffs."
    More specific economic and trade arrangements include: the United States promises to reduce the additional tariffs on China by 10 percentage points, suspend "reciprocal tariffs" until November 10, 2026, and suspend investigations into China's shipbuilding industry and postpone some export controls; China promises to suspend the implementation of rare earth export control expansion measures and issue general export licenses for rare earths, gallium, germanium, antimony and graphite to U.S. end users.
    Xi Jinping pointed out during the talks that this achievement was "generally balanced and positive" and "good news for the people of both countries and the world."
    4. Reaction of foreign media and the international community
    Bloomberg believes that the visit provides an opportunity for the world's two largest economies to reshape bilateral relations and seek consensus on issues such as trade and science and technology.
    The Associated Press reported that before Trump arrived in China, both the United States and China said that ties between the two countries have been quite stable in recent months. Both sides plan to continue this momentum. Stabilizing relations is the consensus of the two countries.
     National Public Radio quoted expert views as saying that Trump's visit was only the first step and expected intensive dialogue between the United States and China in the coming year.
     Latin American News Agency quoted experts as saying that despite differences between China and the United States, regular meetings between the leaders of the two countries are a "responsibility" that helps avoid confrontation and maintain bilateral communication.
     CNN analysis believes that how the heads of state of China and the United States handle the dynamic relations between the two countries will not only have an important impact on the two countries, but also on the corresponding international system.
    Russia's Sputnik news agency quoted analysts as saying that the main results of the visit may be to consolidate the trade "truce" agreement and demonstrate a willingness to engage in pragmatic dialogue.
     The international community has paid close attention to the meeting between the heads of state of China and the United States. CCTV News reported that the international community has expressed that the stable development of Sino-US relations is of great significance and expects that expanding cooperation between the two countries will inject more stability and certainty into the world.
    5. Expert interpretation
     (1) Da Wei (Director of the Center for Strategic and Security Studies, Tsinghua University): This is an opportunity to "adapt" transformation

Da Wei believes that the current term "strategic stability" between China and the United States refers in a broad sense to the framework within which the two countries can generally maintain stability in the most important relationship. The core task of Sino-US relations is "adjustment", that is, the transformation from Sino-US relations based on globalization to Sino-US relations based on a multipolar world. This transformation will not occur automatically and needs to be promoted together from multiple levels. 2026 is a good opportunity to build this new foundation.
    (2) Wang Huiyao and Miao Lu (globalization think tank): Towards "interdependence under control"
    Wang Huiyao, founder of the globalization think tank, and Miao Lu, secretary-general, published an analysis article on the day of Trump's visit to China, pointing out that there have been changes in Sino-US relations that deserve great attention: although strategic competition has existed for a long time, it is impossible for the two sides to return to the era of full engagement. However, the extreme narrative of "decoupling and breaking links" has revealed obvious limitations, and re-engagement guided by economic and trade interests, crisis management and pragmatic cooperation is quietly emerging. China and the United States are transcending the clamor of "decoupling" and moving towards a new normal of "coexistence under control" and "interdependence under control."
    (3) International media observation
    The British "Financial Times" published an article before Trump arrived in China stating that Trump had realized that "the era when the United States manipulated China at will is gone forever."
    Bloomberg focused on trade issues such as rare earth supply, China's purchase of U.S. agricultural products, and the ongoing war in Iran were all the focuses of the talks. AI is also expected to become one of the key topics.
    American scholars pointed out that the "strategic stability" of the pragmatic faction may be just a temporary compromise. Once the United States is ready, it may turn against others. China must be fully prepared.
    (4) Business signals
    Trump's delegation to China includes about 16 American business representatives. Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser said that it is very important for all parties to see the interaction between the two major economic powers, the United States and China.
    The globalization think tank visited the United States twice in the first half of 2026 for surveys. In a West Coast survey, it found that what local officials and entrepreneurs are most concerned about is not "decoupling", but "pragmatism","growth" and "predictability."

   6. Potential challenges and uncertainties
   Taiwan Issue:Xi Jinping clearly designated the Taiwan issue as the "most important issue" in Sino-US relations, warning that improper handling will lead to collisions and even conflicts. How the United States will handle the Taiwan issue in the future is the variable with the highest uncertainty.
    Sustainability of the pragmatic faction's "strategic stability":Some American scholars pointed out that the pragmatic faction's "strategic stability" may be just a temporary compromise. Once the United States is ready, it may turn against others. China must be fully prepared.
   Implementation of economic and trade agreements:Previously, China-US trade agreements have been inconsistent at the implementation level. Whether the economic and trade achievements achieved this time can be sustained is worthy of continued attention.
  Explanation: Theabove information comes from public news reports and think tank articles, and the analytical opinions are for reference only. The details of specific terms and conditions of some events (such as the "Sino-US Joint Statement on the Geneva Economic and Trade Talks", etc.) are only excerpts of key points due to space limitations. It is recommended to consult the original documents for complete information.
   Source: Used car Xiaopang said
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