Being frank: China, US strengthen ties despite differences

World
Europe

China and the United States, the world's two largest economies, do not agree on everything. They have different views on how to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and what "fair trade" means. Taiwan and the South China Sea are also thorny issues. But these differences have not prevented US President Donald Trump from having a "successful and historic" visit to China.

Experts believe both sides agree that their commonalities outweigh their differences, and thanks to the "great chemistry" between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, they can talk about the differences in a frank way.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 9, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Warm words

"President Xi, thank you for such an incredible welcome ceremony," on Thursday, Trump sent his third tweet to thank Xi for his hospitality. "It was a truly memorable and impressive display!"

After a taste of Chinese history and culture in the Forbidden City on Wednesday, Trump's second day in Beijing featured the welcome ceremony, formal talks, the signing of commercial deals and a state dinner. The US president seemed to be enjoying his "state visit-plus" and kept a warm and positive tone throughout the activities.

Hailing his "great chemistry" with Xi, Trump said the two countries could find solutions to trade disputes and "almost all" world problems.

The Chinese president described Trump's visit as "successful and historic," saying that Sino-US relations are "at a new historic starting point."

Trump's "outstanding" relationship with Xi dates back to the latter's trip to the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida this April. They met again in July at the G20 Summit in Germany. Besides the meetings, the two have talked by phone eight times since Trump took office in January.

During their third face-to-face meeting, Trump said and tweeted lots of warm words about his Chinese counterpart. "My feeling towards you is incredibly warm," he told Xi at the beginning of their talks on Thursday morning.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R2) and his wife Peng Liyuan (R1), and US President Donald Trump (L2) and his wife Melania Trump pose for a photo in front of Taihedian, or the Hall of Supreme Harmony, during their visit to the Palace Museum in Beijing, November 8, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

With this "incredibly warm" feeling, Trump, once accusing China of "raping" the US with its trade policy, softened his tone remarkably during the visit. Though he mentioned trade imbalance between the two countries, he said he did not blame China.

"After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the sake of its citizens?" Instead, Trump pointed the blame at past US administrations "for allowing this out-of-control trade deficit to take place and to grow."

Frank exchange of views

The differences between Beijing and Washington will not disappear with Trump's warm words, no matter on trade, the nuclear crisis over the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), or other issues of common concern. Fortunately, leaders on both sides are frank with each other, and there are signs of closing gaps and expanding common ground.

In response to Trump's remarks on trade, Xi acknowledged: "There has been some friction on bilateral trade." But he expressed the hope that the issues could be solved "in a consultative way" and "on the basis of win-win cooperation."

The presidents agreed that cooperation is the "only viable choice" for China and the US, according to Xi.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also told Trump that the two countries should properly handle differences and frictions and create a good business environment typified by fair competition, adding that China and the US can carry out "highly complementary" and "relatively balanced" cooperation.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 9, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

China and the US may still have different opinions on the best way to address the DPRK nuclear issue, but Trump promised to coordinate with Beijing.

During his talks with Xi, Trump said the US hopes to work with China to push for denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. Washington highly values China's important role in the issue, he noted.

Though he urged China to "act faster and more effectively on this problem than anyone," the US president refrained from making fresh military threats during his Beijing tour.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson went further by saying there is "no disagreement" between Trump and Xi over the DPRK, according to Reuters.

Strengthening mutual trust

Taiwan is the most important and most sensitive core issue in China-US relations, Xi told Trump, calling it the "political basis" of their ties.

Trump reiterated that his administration adheres to the one-China policy.

As president-elect a year ago, Trump angered Beijing by answering a phone call from Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen and threatening to reconsider the one-China policy. He changed his tone in February in a call with Xi, pledging to honor the principle.

At Thursday's meeting, Xi underscored the importance of strengthening mutual trust between Beijing and Washington, particularly on sensitive issues.

The workboat of a Chinese archaeological team for the archaeological work of the Shanhu Island No. 1 shipwreck in the Xisha archipelago in the South China Sea, May 13, 2015. /Xinhua Photo

The two sides also had a frank exchange of views on the South China Sea, Tillerson said.

Both Xi and Trump expressed support to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang said in a statement on Thursday.

The two leaders support the peaceful resolution and management of the dispute via talks and in accordance with "accepted international law," Zheng added.

"Both sides support the protection of freedom of navigation and overflight for all countries, in accordance with international law," he said.

To improve ties between Chinese and American military forces, China welcomes US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to visit the country in the first half of the next year, and the US welcomes a senior Chinese military delegation to visit America in the second half of 2018, according to the statement.

Tough times ahead, but…

Commenting on Xi and Trump's remarks to the press after their talks, experts told CGTN that the meeting was fruitful and they are optimistic about future China-US relations despite many remaining challenges.

Rick Dunham, a professor at Tsinghua University, said Xi and Trump praised each other but also "honestly talked about disagreement between the two countries," adding that they did this in a positive rather than destructive way.

Although there are "tough times ahead in solving some of these problems," Dunham believes the two countries are moving forward.

Both sides agree that their commonalities "definitely outweigh" their differences, said Professor John Gong from University of International Business and Economics. "Both sides have to work together to address these issues (and) work out these problems."

The leaders themselves are also determined to improve the most important bilateral relationship in the world.

According to Xi, his interactions with Trump have "pointed the direction and drawn a blueprint for the future development of bilateral ties."

The US president tweeted after a full day of events: "In the coming months and years ahead I look forward to building an even STRONGER relationship between the United States and China."