As agreed between China and the United States, President Xi Jinping will meet with President Donald Trump in Busan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), on October 30 local time to exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

Speaking at a regular press briefing on Wednesday, Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic, guiding role in China-U.S. relations.

"We are willing to make joint efforts with the U.S. side to work for positive outcomes of this meeting, which will provide new guidance and impetus for the stable development of bilateral relations," Guo said.

This will be the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the two countries since Trump returned to the White House.

The two heads of state have already had three phone conversations since the start of this year, demonstrating a positive attitude on both sides. They agreed that a healthy, stable and sustainable China-U.S. relationship serves the long-term interests of both countries and meets the expectations of the international community.

Steering bilateral ties

During their phone talks on September 19, Xi emphasized that China and the United States can achieve mutual success and shared prosperity, benefiting both countries and the world. The conversation has provided strategic guidance for the stable development of bilateral ties in the next stage. 

Speaking of the recent rounds of economic and trade consultations between the two sides, Xi said they have demonstrated the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit, adding that they can continue to properly handle the prominent issues in their bilateral relations and strive for win-win outcomes.

During a phone conversation with Trump on June 5, Xi said dialogue and cooperation are the only correct choice for China and the United States.

"Recalibrating the direction of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations requires the two sides to take the helm and set the right course," Xi said, adding that it is particularly important to steer clear of the various disturbances and disruptions.

In the phone call with Trump in January, Xi underscored that it is inevitable that China and the United States, two major countries with different national conditions, will have some differences, and that the key is to respect each other's core interests and major concerns and find appropriate ways to resolve issues.

He also called on both sides to step up cooperation and do more great, practical and good things that are conducive to the two countries and the world at large, based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, to keep the two giant ships of China and the United States moving forward on the course of stable, healthy and sustainable development.

"The history and experience of China-U.S. relations in recent years have demonstrated that meetings between the two heads of state are of irreplaceable importance for the stable development of bilateral ties," said Wei Zongyou, a professor at the Center for American Studies at Fudan University.

The more challenges China-U.S. relations face, the more necessary it is for the two leaders to strengthen strategic guidance of the relationship, and prevent misunderstandings and misjudgments, Wei said.

Dialogue the correct way forward

This year, in a bid to bring their trade relations back on track after a period of strain, the two countries have held multiple rounds of economic and trade consultations in Geneva, London, Stockholm, Madrid and Kuala Lumpur, showcasing the important role of head-of-state diplomacy in steering China-U.S. relations, once again demonstrating that dialogue and cooperation remain the correct way forward for the two countries.

The two sides had candid, in-depth, and constructive exchanges on important trade and economic issues of mutual concern, including the U.S. Section 301 measures on China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors, TikTok, the extension of the suspension of reciprocal tariffs, fentanyl-related tariffs and law enforcement cooperation, trade in agricultural products, and export controls.

The two sides agreed to work out the specific details and to follow each side's domestic approval processes.

This encouraging progress highlights a fundamental truth: deepening communication to enhance understanding, reduce misperceptions, and expand cooperation is vital to ensuring the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral ties.

Each of the five rounds of consultation yielded positive signals, boosting global markets.

As a responsible major country, China has demonstrated strategic resolve and wisdom, and has consistently advocated that the two countries should assume great responsibility and oppose "decoupling and supply chains disruption" to maintain the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.

The U.S. side has also repeatedly stated that "the U.S. has no intention of decoupling from China" and that the "U.S.-China economic and trade relationship is the most influential bilateral relationship in the world." 

In a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed hope that China and the United States will work in the same direction to be well poised for high-level interactions and to create conditions for the development of bilateral relations.

(Cover via VCG)