What positive signals does the China-U.S. summit meeting send?

Editor's note: Zhu Chenge is an assistant researcher at the Institute of American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

On November 15, President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Biden held a comprehensive and in-depth summit meeting at Filoli estate, San Francisco. This is the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since the G20 Summit in 2022.

It is hard to overstate the importance of this meeting, which extends beyond the bilateral relationship between the two countries. People across the world have been focusing on the conversation between the two leaders. The signals sent by this summit are positive, abundant and weighty enough to drive the whole world forward.

China-U.S. summit meeting is the climax of a series of previous positive interactions

As we all know, in recent years, the world's two biggest economies have had a tough time in terms of bilateral ties. However, rational decision-makers would not let the bilateral ties go adrift. To reverse the pessimistic trend in bilateral ties, both sides need to readjust their perceptions of each other. Before the summit meeting, there had already been noticeable high-level visits between the two countries. Top officials from the two countries have exchanged ideas, engaged in conversations and sought common interests, which set a benevolent atmosphere for this four-hour-long meeting. In general, the successful holding of the summit meeting produced worthwhile and practicable diplomatic efforts.

China-U.S. summit meeting brings bilateral ties back to healthy development track

Xi laid out "five pillars" that will foster a new vision of China-U.S. relations. As introduced by Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, China and the U.S. have reached common understanding on more than 20 issues including high-level exchanges, military cooperation, technology, business and cultural communications. In addition, both China and the U.S. have sent their top officials to San Francisco, which suggests that this is a comprehensive and sincere meeting. These achievements are of vital importance to enhancing trust, reducing misunderstandings, managing divergence and contributing to collaboration.

China-U.S. summit meeting is filled with "human kindness"

The personal friendship between Xi and Biden is an important driver of China-U.S. relations. As a traditional form of interaction between the two countries, "garden diplomacy" provides a platform for private communication, serving as a catalyst for resolving serious political issues. The exchange at Filoli estate showed that the meeting is collaboration-oriented. Bringing China-U.S. relations back on track is not only a state-level matter, but a reflection of the eager anticipation of the countries' leaders.

China-U.S. summit meeting marks a new start for bilateral relationship

The dialogue between the two leaders is going to bring one of the world's most important bilateral relations forward in the foreseeable future. Xi and Biden agreed to further promote high-level dialogues, which indicates that China and the U.S. are interested in and capable of working together to meet challenges. What the two leaders have agreed on and announced can be regarded as a blueprint for the sound, steady and sustained growth of China-U.S. relations. 

The friendly signals sent by this summit will linger on in the comprehensive collaboration between China and the U.S. in the long term. The most important implication is probably the need for China and the U.S. to have accurate perceptions of each other. Biden posted on social media after the meeting, "There are critical global challenges that demand our joint leadership. And today, we made real progress."

Of course, it is not easy for China-U.S. relationship to remain on the right track. But as long as both sides keep in mind the principle that "dialogue and cooperation is the only right choice for the two countries," the vast Pacific Ocean will not be flooded by petty and selfish confrontations anymore.