Xi’s visit to bolster China-US relations

President Xi is set to pay a state visit to the U.S., which is a milestone event in the history of China-U.S. relations.

The state visit is his 7th visit to the U.S.

Since 1978, Chinese leaders have paid state visits to the United States. Xi’s upcoming visit will possess unusual significance in comparison to previous state visits made by his predecessors.

Despite the leading position and advantages maintained by the U.S., the gap between the world’s two largest economies has been narrowed, as China gains influence in the global arena.

In 2014, the U.S. and China became the first and the only two countries to see their GDP surpass 10 trillion dollars.

Although China’s rise has offered a world of opportunities, the U.S. has grown wary of being challenged by China.

There has been increased connection between China’s policies and U.S. strategic interests.

In the eyes of some Americans, China has become a rival who is becoming more and more difficult to deal with.

The U.S. declined to join the China-initiated Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, implying a mounting worry regarding China’s growing power in international financial mechanisms.

The potential for conflict between the two countries has increased, with both China and the U.S. competing in the Asia-Pacific region for strategic geographic leverage.

Since the 1990s, major flash points between the two countries have concentrated around Taiwan. Now, the flash points have extended to the East and South China Seas.

China-U.S. relations are full of uncertainties. If the U.S. succumbs to its worries, it will grow more emotional and aggressive. The situation will be compounded by a host of political factors and lead to negative changes that people are not willing to see.

However, it is exaggerated to say that China-U.S. relations are walking towards the “edge of a cliff” or facing a historic cut-off point. No matter what disputes or confrontations the two countries have, their strategies are not designed to hurt each other.

Bonded by the most important and complicated bilateral relations in the world, China and the U.S. will rise or fall together, and neither side has much to gain from the other’s weakness and insecurity.

The U.S. is China’s largest export market and the top destination for overseas students. The stability of China-U.S. relations is closely related to global and economic order.

China continues its efforts to strengthen the foundation of mutual trust in both politics and the economy. Recent talks on cyber security have yielded fruit. The negotiations on military communication and other areas are making progress.

A cool mind is needed to understand China-U.S. bilateral relations, without too much emphasis on their competition. Only if the two countries join hands can their relations benefit all.

Xi’s visit will not only signal good will to develop relations, but also bring confidence, encouragement and wisdom to solve these disputes and problems.

This article was translated by He Shan.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.