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China's amb to 'Post': Beijing pushes Iran from 'extremist path' after Trump-Xi summit - interview

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Context piece
  • China's ambassador to Israel described the recent Trump-Xi summit as a historic moment for stabilizing US-China relations.
  • Beijing is reportedly urging Iran to moderate its behavior and avoid escalation in the Middle East.
  • The ambassador dismissed the "Thucydides Trap" theory, suggesting major powers can avoid conflict through careful management.

China's Ambassador to Israel, Xiao Junzheng, characterized the recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping as a "historic" and "landmark" event aimed at stabilizing relations between the world's two largest economies. The ambassador stated that both leaders agreed to build a "constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability."

It was a good and successful visit, and also a historic and landmark one.

— Xiao JunzhengDescribing the recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xiao asserted that Beijing has been quietly encouraging Iran to moderate its actions and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, particularly as the US and Iran move towards a potential ceasefire agreement. He emphasized that the summit's significance lies in the broader framework established, promoting "positive stability with cooperation as the mainstay."

It will be a positive stability with cooperation as the mainstay. It will be a healthy stability with competition within proper limits, and also constant stability with manageable differences.

— Xiao JunzhengExplaining the nature of the China-US relationship agreed upon during the summit.

Addressing the concept of the "Thucydides Trap," which suggests inevitable conflict between rising and established powers, Xiao dismissed it from China's perspective. He argued that such conflicts arise from miscalculations by major powers, not inherent inevitability. The ambassador also highlighted the personal chemistry between Presidents Trump and Xi, noting their previous interactions and suggesting that China's national ambitions and Trump's "Make America Great Again" vision can coexist.

From the Chinese point of view, there is no Thucydides Trap in this world, but if major powers repeatedly make miscalculations, then they will create one for themselves.

— Xiao JunzhengDismissing the theory of inevitable conflict between major powers.

Despite recent global tensions, including trade disputes and the "spy balloon" incident, Xiao expressed optimism about the potential for cooperation. He suggested that China and the US could mutually benefit and contribute to global well-being, countering the notion that conflict is unavoidable.

The two presidents do have very close chemistry.

— Xiao JunzhengCommenting on the personal relationship between Trump and Xi.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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