What signals did the latest China-US dialogue send?

The 2026 US-China Political Dialogue was held in Beijing on Thursday, bringing together representatives from US political parties, strategic circles and business communities, alongside Chinese government officials, local authorities, think tanks, universities and civil society organizations.

A recurring message from both sides was the need for stability in bilateral relations. Against a backdrop of global uncertainty, participants called for greater dialogue, stronger mutual trust and efforts to find the right way for the two major powers to coexist.

More dialogue, greater trust

Themed "US-China Relations in the New Era: Exploring the Right Approach in a Changing Asia-Pacific and the World," the dialogue featured candid, in-depth and constructive discussions between Chinese and US representatives.

A senior official from the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said a stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relationship serves the interests of both peoples and is also important for peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the wider world.

Looking ahead, the two countries should uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and work together to find the right way for major powers to get along in the new era, the official said.

US representatives said a more stable and balanced bilateral relationship would help both countries achieve their development goals and address global governance challenges. They called for sustained communication, constructive competition and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Former US Ambassador to China Max Baucus welcomed the fact that the two countries' leaders had met twice this year, saying more frequent high-level exchanges could help advance bilateral relations. He noted that although China and the United States have different national conditions and are both major powers, maintaining a balance in areas such as power, economic interests and geopolitical influence was key to managing their relationship.

Baucus also stressed the importance of gradually building trust through sustained efforts, including more frequent meetings between the two leaders and greater people-to-people exchanges. He encouraged more Americans to visit different parts of China and experience the country firsthand, while expressing hope that more Chinese people would also travel to the US.

Participants also expressed expectations for the upcoming APEC meeting in Shenzhen.

Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, said a meeting between the two countries' leaders at APEC would be significant. He stressed that businesses urgently need a stable environment and predictable long-term prospects, calling on both sides to clarify issues such as tariffs and exports to give companies greater certainty in trade.

Reviving the spirit of ping-pong diplomacy

The dialogue also featured a table tennis activity, paying tribute to the historic "ping-pong diplomacy" of 55 years ago, when exchanges between players helped pave the way for improved China-US relations.

Fu Qiang, assistant dean of Tsinghua University's Schwarzman College, said the spirit of ping-pong diplomacy could serve as a model for cultural, educational and technological exchanges.

He said governments could create favorable conditions for scientists, researchers, artists and athletes to build friendships across borders, adding that bilateral relations should go beyond trade and foster deeper and broader ties between the two peoples.

Susan Thornton, former acting assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, also emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges in laying a solid foundation for bilateral relations.

She said younger generations in both countries were increasingly interested in and familiar with each other's cultures. Chinese culture, in particular, was gaining influence among young Americans, with social media providing new opportunities to learn about China.

Looking back at shared history

The US delegation also visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China, marking the first visit to the museum by a high-level US delegation.

During the visit, members asked about the route and participants of the Long March and revisited key moments in China-US relations, including former US President Richard Nixon's visit to China.

One delegation member said the museum's immersive presentation of the Long March helped him better understand its significance in China's national history.

Another member said she was particularly impressed by exhibits related to the Shenzhou-17 spacecraft, adding that the visit offered a closer look at China's history, culture and development under the leadership of the CPC.

Baucus described the museum as highly educational, saying it would be worthwhile for both Chinese and American visitors. He added that greater opportunities for people from the two countries to visit each other's countries and cultural institutions could help foster better bilateral relations.

The delegation also viewed exhibits documenting the Flying Tigers, the US volunteer air force that fought alongside Chinese forces against Japanese aggression during World War II.

One member recalled that her father had flown several missions to Shanghai to bomb Japanese forces during the war. She said Americans today should look back on that period and remember when the two countries were partners and allies.

"Although we have differences, we must remember that very important moment in history, when we worked together," she said.