China, US build momentum for constructive cooperation

Editor's note: Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, a special commentator for CGTN, is the President of the Center for Knowledge and Public Policy. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily those of CGTN.

The recent presidential visit of Xi Jinping to the US served as a vivid demonstration of leader-level diplomacy as a critical instrument of statecraft, signaling a renewed commitment to strategic equilibrium in the international economic architecture, industrial policy coordination, and multilateral cooperation. Thus, this visit represents a decisive step toward operationalizing the concept of "constructive strategic stability" between Beijing and Washington.

Interestingly, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump have reached a consensus on eight outcomes. Their agreement to build a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability based on respect, fairness and reciprocity is commendable.

Given that China is set to host the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November and the United States will host the G20 Leaders' Summit in December, both countries have expressed their willingness to attend each other's events, which vividly demonstrates their shared support for major-power diplomacy and cooperation.

Another global geopolitical consensus is on Iran because both leaders have agreed that Tehran should fulfill its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons. The two leaders also reached a consensus that no country or institution should charge transit fees for passage through international waterways.

Additionally, the establishment of a trade council, a tariff reduction on $30 billion of goods imported from each other on a reciprocal basis, and an extension of the bilateral tariff truce fall into the category of global geo-economics, further strengthening the positive role of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism.

Hence, enhanced mutual understanding and consensus between China and the US on trade issues will serve as a catalyst for the development of regional and global economies and the international trading system, as well as for the smooth operation of supply chains. This will help reduce intercontinental transport costs, deepen high-quality industrial cooperation, and replace cutthroat competition with constructive collaboration.

Obviously, cooperation on bilateral counter-narcotics law enforcement would have tangible dividends for public health. Such cooperation, with its focus on the shared future, also underscores the strategic importance of the Global Development Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping.

Further, it seems that the China-US AI dialogue to exchange views on AI-related risks and benefits, with the next round to be held in November, is one of the biggest dividends of the recently concluded presidential meeting. It will create a de-escalation mechanism to prevent excessive technological competition, which is a commendable example of tech-diplomacy and strategic risk management.

Undoubtedly, the agreement between the Chinese and US militaries to sign a memorandum of understanding on strengthening crisis communication and prevention as soon as possible will further reinforce mutual confidence-building measures, which will promote peaceful coexistence and the peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue – thereby averting any form of military miscalculation or reckless action.

It is essential to note that both countries emphasized that a high-level of diplomatic engagement is indispensable for navigating geopolitical fragmentation and steering the bilateral relationship toward mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.

The announcement of a major initiative inviting 100,000 young Americans to visit China for study and exchange over the next five years is a strategic investment in people-to-people diplomacy and soft power projection. This exemplary move in educational and cultural diplomacy aims to sow the seeds of a lasting foundation for future generations to manage the relationship between these two global powers, thereby fostering intergenerational strategic stability.

The visit and meeting have further enhanced strategic stability and cooperation between the two sides. It is hoped that the China-US constructive relationship of strategic stability will further strengthen dialogue and cooperation, properly manage differences, and deliver greater benefits to both peoples while contributing to world peace and prosperity.

As the world's two largest economies, the US and China together account for nearly 43% of global GDP and nearly one-quarter of the world's population, with bilateral trade volume making up roughly one-fifth of the global total. So, these figures underscore their strategic weight, systemic relevance, and high stakes in advancing strategic stability for the wellbeing of both countries' people and enterprises.

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