ON Friday evening, the simultaneous announcements from China and the U.S. that President Xi Jinping will travel to San Francisco for a China-U.S. summit and attend the 30th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting have sparked widespread anticipation. Speculation about a potential meeting between the two heads of state during the APEC meeting has been circulating for some time, and it has now been officially confirmed. In recent months, the frequent exchange of visits and meetings between high-level officials from both countries has been viewed as a precursor to this summit. Despite profound differences and tension between China and the U.S., there remains a sense of hopeful expectation among both nations and the broader public that this summit could play a pivotal role in stabilizing their relations and potentially mark a turning point. The trajectory of China-U.S. relations is anticipated to significantly influence the landscape of international politics. Both China and the U.S. hold high stakes in the discussions to come. U.S. officials and mainstream media have consistently alluded to the possibility of such a meeting and have highlighted issues that are of utmost importance for the U.S. to address. Recent incidents, such as the release of videos depicting military aircraft and warships from both nations in close encounters in China’s offshore waters, have underscored the urgency of open channels of communication between the military leadership of the two nations. While Beijing has not publicly disclosed the specific topics that will be discussed during the meeting, the concerns prevalent within Chinese society are apparent. Foremost among these is the Taiwan question. During the recent visit to Washington, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that “Taiwan independence” represents the most significant threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and is also the most substantial challenge facing Sino-U.S. relations. Additionally, China is deeply troubled by the escalated efforts of the U.S. to curb its high-tech enterprises, particularly by tightening embargoes on China’s semiconductor technology and engaging in strategies that suggest a potential “decoupling” aimed at containing China. Further exacerbating tensions are the U.S.’ active encouragement of nations like the Philippines to challenge China in the South China Sea, which has directly threatened the security of Chinese islands and reefs. It is foreseeable that the impending meeting between China and the U.S. will carry significant weight, although it will not be without its challenges. However, both nations have expressed a positive outlook towards this meeting. Especially considering the escalating pressure exerted by the U.S. over the past years without desired outcomes, it has become apparent that China will not concede on matters of principle. As the U.S. intensifies its efforts, the stakes continue to rise, compelling a real need to stabilize China-U.S. relations. China has consistently emphasized that the restoration of bilateral relations is in the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples. With the U.S. vacillating, it should have discerned that stability in the relations will yield more benefits than harm, particularly in a political sense for the ruling party in the U.S. In recent years, amidst friction between the two powers, both China and the U.S. have gained a more objective understanding of each other’s strengths and capabilities. The U.S. has come to realize that it cannot overpower China, and it has also become apparent that neither side can afford a complete standoff. This understanding sets a crucial boundary, particularly for the actions of radical factions within the U.S., and it should indicate to Washington that it is nearing China’s limits. Therefore, although China-U.S. relations adhere to the dynamics of major power relations, the pending meeting between the two heads of state in San Francisco has generated a sense of optimism across the international community. Analysts believe that driven by empirical evidence and experience, both sides will enter into a dialogue to yield practical results, growing more adept at addressing deadlock issues. They are poised to anticipate the challenges in implementing the consensus achieved by the two heads of state. Notably, global capital markets have responded positively to the prospects of this meeting. (Global Times) | 