A good start to China-US relationship

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump (L) hold the second round of talks in the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, the United States, April 7, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Editor's note: Five researchers in international studies share their views with China Daily's Cui Shoufeng on the just-concluded meeting between President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump. Excerpts below:

The tone for future ties set

Li Haidong, a professor of US studies at China Foreign Affairs University [Photo/China Daily]

The meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump has forged a cooperative, friendly relationship between the two leaders, laying the foundation for more constructive bilateral interactions. It also sets the tone for future China-US ties by reiterating the importance of the principle of no-conflict, no-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

After comparing notes on issues such as the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Xi and Trump both vowed to better manage the disputes between the two countries and respect each other's core interests. Their first face-to-face meeting bodes well for fruitful bilateral exchanges at other levels.

 

 

 

Trade frictions may continue

Zhang Zhixin, head of American Political Studies at the Institute of American Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations [Photo/China Daily]

The uncertainties associated with China-US relations after Trump entered the White House almost three months ago did not affect the talks, because the US president did not let his previous ill-founded remarks against China get in the way.

The newly established dialogue mechanisms-a comprehensive economic dialogue, a diplomatic and security dialogue, a law enforcement and cybersecurity dialogue, and a dialogue on social and cultural issues-are a much needed extension of the bilateral communications structure forged when George W. Bush and Barack Obama were US presidents. Military communications, too, are likely to be boosted.

Trade frictions, however, may remain as the Trump administration is yet to decide its trade policies. And the US is not likely to scale down its involvement in some regional security matters such as the Korean Peninsula and South China Sea issues.

And since Trump has signed an executive order to reverse Obama's Clean Power Plan, China-US cooperation on climate change faces an uncertain future, though both countries could seek to cooperate in the energy and infrastructure sectors.