Chinese President Xi Jinping has invited U.S. President Donald Trump for a state visit to China from May 13 to 15. After years of turbulence, the bilateral relationship has reached a new historical crossroads, with the upcoming handshake between the two leaders marking a potential milestone.
Looking back, amid shifting global dynamics, head-of-state diplomacy has repeatedly guided Sino-U.S. relations through turbulent waters and back onto the right track. The mutual commitment of the two peoples has repeatedly nurtured hope during low points, turning the vast Pacific Ocean from an insurmountable barrier into a bridge.
The year 2026 holds particular significance for both nations: China embarks on its 15th Five-Year Plan, while the United States celebrates its 250th Independence anniversary. Against a backdrop of increasing global instability, the world urgently needs China and the U.S. to provide more certainty and stability together. The question now is how to make 2026 a year of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, and how to demonstrate the responsibility of major powers for global peace and development. All eyes are on Beijing as the world anticipates answers from this historic interaction.
**(I) The Resilience of Sino-U.S. Relations**
Time’s measure is clearest in retrospect. The resilience of bilateral ties becomes more evident after weathering storms. International observers note that over the past decade, Sino-U.S. relations have experienced two cycles from falling to a low point to returning to normal. The first cycle began with the U.S. trade war in 2018, followed by years of complex bargaining and multiple rounds of dialogue before the relationship stabilized. The second cycle was concentrated in 2025, when relations went through a brief but intense period of tension before easing again.
Amid these fluctuations, some changes are superficial, while the underlying roots remain constant. From years to months, from “fight and talk” to gradually building consensus and clarifying direction, the mindset and approach of both sides have evolved. Today, dialogue is more equal, communication more pragmatic, and bottom lines clearer, opening the possibility of new beginnings within the resilience of Sino-U.S. relations.
International confidence is rising that both sides can resolve differences through equal consultation. This shift reflects deeper changes in perception and configuration. The most important thing for the two major countries is to establish a correct strategic perception and answer whether they are competitors or partners. China does not challenge or seek to replace the U.S. and welcomes its prosperity. At the same time, China’s determination to safeguard its legitimate rights remains unwavering. Over the years, facing tariff and trade wars, China has been willing to “talk” but also able to “fight,” sticking to principles and bottom lines, demonstrating hard power, earning international respect, and creating possibilities for returning to the negotiating table.
Amidst changes, China’s goals remain consistent: to maintain stable, healthy, and sustainable development of Sino-U.S. relations; to handle the relationship based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation; to firmly defend its sovereignty, security, and development interests; and to continue the traditional friendship between the two peoples. The international community increasingly positions China as “trustworthy” and “responsible.”
The changing interaction model has led more to recognize that China’s development and growth represent an irreversible historical trend, and any attempt to contain or suppress it will not succeed. The interaction is becoming more equal, and the U.S. is increasingly viewing China on a more level footing, reflecting a return to rationality and maturity.
History offers clear lessons. As two countries with different civilizations, systems, and paths, as long as both sides follow the spirit of equality, respect, and mutual benefit, they can find wisdom and methods to resolve differences, explore the right way to coexist peacefully and develop together, and push the relationship in a direction beneficial to both nations and the world.
**(II) The Strategic Guidance of Head-of-State Diplomacy**
“There are signs that the Sino-U.S. summit may create another historic moment,” international scholars forecast ahead of the meeting. International opinion generally believes this is a “window period for recalibrating mutual goals and interaction models.”
This heavy international expectation stems from both historical observation and future contemplation. What has stabilized the fundamentals of Sino-U.S. relations through stormy waves? What guides the two major powers to gradually find the right way to get along?
The most critical answer lies in the far-sighted strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, ensuring that the giant ship of Sino-U.S. relations does not hit reefs, deviate, or lose speed.
Rewind to 2017 at Mar-a-Lago, where President Xi and President Trump met for the first time. On the 45th anniversary of the Shanghai Communiqué, President Xi posed a “question of the future”: “How will Sino-U.S. relations develop over the next 45 years?” With a big-picture perspective, the responsible major power’s vision was clear: “Cooperation is the only correct choice for our two countries, and we can fully become good partners.”
Whenever storms strike, the role of head-of-state diplomacy as a “compass” and “anchor” becomes more prominent. Last year, amid the tariff tsunami that alarmed the world, the two leaders personally corrected the course. Under the consensus of the leaders, bilateral teams have held six rounds of consultations, with another underway, continuously enhancing consensus, managing differences, and strengthening cooperation to promote stable, healthy, and sustainable development of trade relations.
In October last year, President Xi met with President Trump in Busan, South Korea, for in-depth communication on major issues concerning bilateral relations and world peace and development, guiding the giant ship through turbulent waters. Since the Busan meeting, Sino-U.S. relations have shown overall stability and positive trends, welcomed by both nations and the international community.
Strategic leadership is also demonstrated in clear labeling of dangerous shoals. The Taiwan issue is the most important and sensitive core issue in bilateral relations, affecting the political foundation. President Xi has repeatedly stated China’s principled position on Taiwan, emphasizing that Taiwan is part of China’s territory, and China must defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, never allowing Taiwan to split. Clarifying principles and bottom lines exemplifies responsibility in preventing serious risks.
Understanding the big picture helps grasp the small details. With a sense of responsibility to history, the people, and the world, China consistently uses head-of-state diplomacy to actively explore building a strategic, constructive, and stable relationship, adding stability to a turbulent world through positive interaction.
**(III) The Win-Win Nature of Economic and Trade Relations**
Economy and trade, a prominent area of disagreement in recent years, also serve as a window to understand the nature of bilateral relations.
In September last year, when trade frictions faced another escalation, U.S. Soybean Export Council CEO Sobeck urgently visited the Chinese ambassador to the U.S., bringing two consensuses from U.S. soybean exporters: hope for an early agreement through equal consultation, and determination to attend the 8th China International Import Expo. This is not an isolated case. Despite political interference, the desire of business communities to deepen ties and cooperation has never wavered. Market-driven choices clearly demonstrate the win-win nature of bilateral economic and trade relations.
The latest American Chamber of Commerce in China report provides strong evidence: in 2025, most surveyed companies saw improved financial performance, with 52% expecting profitability, up 6 percentage points year-on-year; more than half ranked China among the top three global investment destinations; 74% believed they enjoy equal or better treatment compared to domestic companies.
Broader data shows: currently, over 7,000 Chinese companies operate in the U.S., and about 80,000 U.S. companies have investments in China; U.S. exports to China and Chinese investment in the U.S. support about 1 million jobs each. American companies have maintained the largest exhibition area at the CIIE for seven consecutive years and always rank first among foreign participants at the China Supply Chain Expo. These data paint a picture of mutual achievement and shared prosperity.
In the era of a global village, blowing out someone else’s lamp does not make you brighter; blocking others’ path does not take you farther. The tariff and trade wars initiated by the U.S., along with harsh technology controls under national security pretexts, have not solved its goods trade deficit or industrial competitiveness issues. Instead, they have imposed heavy costs on American businesses and consumers.
The ups and downs of economic and trade relations have brought important lessons. From economy and trade to the overall situation, one conclusion becomes clearer: dialogue is better than confrontation, cooperation is better than zero-sum, and stability is better than turbulence.
The root of recurring difficulties in Sino-U.S. relations lies in some U.S. individuals’ obsession with zero-sum thinking and the “you lose, I win” logic—fundamentally incompatible with today’s world. The notion of winner-takes-all and zero-sum is not a path for human progress. Only
