China-US summit ‘remarkable’ but is it enough to change relations?

The recent US-China summit in Beijing, while described as "remarkable" and "extremely important" by Chinese academic Li Cheng, faces skepticism about its ability to fundamentally alter the trajectory of bilateral relations.

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extremely important

Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged the two nations to be "partners, not rivals" and invoked the "Thucydides Trap" concept, questioning whether major powers can manage their ties to foster global stability and a brighter future. This framing highlights China's perspective on the need for a new paradigm in international relations, emphasizing cooperation over confrontation.

While the summit represents a crucial step in arresting the "downward spiral" of relations, the article suggests that deeper structural issues have long plagued the ties between the two global powers. The emphasis on managing relations and addressing global challenges underscores China's desire for a stable international environment conducive to its own development and global influence.

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partners, not rivals

From a Chinese perspective, as reported by the South China Morning Post, the summit is viewed through the lens of major power dynamics and the historical patterns of rising and falling empires. The invocation of the Thucydides Trap is not merely an academic reference but a strategic framing to underscore the critical juncture at which US-China relations stand, with profound implications for global order. The article subtly conveys China's aspiration to be a responsible global partner while also asserting its growing influence and seeking a relationship based on mutual respect and shared interests, rather than one dictated by existing hegemonic powers.

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Can China and the US transcend the Thucydides Trap and create a new paradigm for major power relations? Can they work together to address global challenges and inject more stability into the world? Can they focus on the well-being of both peoples and the future destiny of humanity to jointly create a bright future for bilateral relations?