by Shao Xia

The meeting in Busan between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a much-needed reassuring signal to the global community. As the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders in six years and the first since the new U.S. administration took office, it offers a moment to reflect on the twists and turns of this crucial bilateral relationship.

POSITIVE PROGRESS DESPITE TENSIONS

In recent years, China and the United States have been playing "a game of masters." It began with both sides testing each other's strengths, a process through which they gradually gained a deeper understanding of each other's strategies. Initially, the United States held the offensive while China was on the defensive. As China began to assert itself, the relationship evolved into a series of actions and counteractions.

China's strategy can be likened to Tai Chi, embodying profound inner strength, composure, and a way of moderation. No matter how turbulent the situation becomes, it remains steady and composed. While China prefers to avoid conflict out of a sense of global responsibility, it is not afraid to respond when threatened. This wisdom -- maintaining calm under pressure and waiting for the right moment to act -- has helped navigate the China-U.S. relations through uncharted waters.

This year, the overall relationship has stabilized. Three phone calls between the presidents have set a strategic direction, while five rounds of economic talks have steadily reinforced the foundation for cooperation.

Meanwhile, people-to-people exchanges are flourishing. Chinese and American netizens engage in vibrant discussions on platforms like Xiaohongshu. American mega-influencer IShowSpeed live-streamed his travels in China to a global audience. And cultural products like Labubu have found a passionate following in the United States.

Further strengthening these ties, China's 2023 initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans for exchange programs is already seeing remarkable progress, with nearly 40,000 visits within just two years. Recently, a long-stolen relic, a tiger-shaped bronze buckle, was sent back to China with U.S. assistance, conveying a simple yet profound message: the willingness to return a lost treasure to its rightful owner.

China's approach to the relationship is rooted in a simple, steadfast belief: as major countries, we must keep the bigger picture in mind and reject the inevitability of a zero-sum game. The Busan meeting demonstrated this broad-minded, strategic vision once again.

UNTIE PAST KNOTS

The stakes of this relationship could not be higher. It directly impacts the lives of 1.7 billion people in both nations and shapes the future of the entire world. History teaches us that cooperation between major powers brings global stability, while their conflict breeds chaos.

There is a strong foundation for cooperation. The two nations stood side-by-side against fascism and worked jointly to combat terrorism, contain epidemics, and tackle financial crises. Today, bilateral trade nears 700 billion U.S. dollars. Over 70,000 U.S. companies invest in China, Chinese suppliers form the backbone of Apple's global supply chain, and Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory alone accounts for half of its global output.

These facts prove that China and the United States can be partners. The Chinese Dream and the American Dream are not mutually exclusive; they can be complementary. Their respective strengths in social systems, as different as they might be, can also serve as anchors for a stable relationship, not triggers for conflict.

Neither nation can fundamentally change the other. The only viable path is peaceful coexistence, expanding common interests, and widening the road of cooperation. In semiconductors, for example, U.S. restrictions may slow China's progress temporarily, but they cannot halt it. A more beneficial strategy would be to join hands and explore the global market together.

A key message from Busan was that both leaders envision a better future and have agreed to enhance cooperation to "get many great things done for the world." With this strategic direction set, resolving specific economic issues becomes more manageable. As the Chinese saying goes, "Whoever ties the knot should untie it." If the United States removes tariffs, China will naturally resume purchases of soybeans at its competitive market price. Likewise, as China has consistently provided help on humanitarian grounds on fentanyl-related issues, it expects a more rational attitude from the United States in return.

TOWARD A BETTER FUTURE

If the Busan meeting serves as a "reset," the world hopes it will eliminate operational redundancies and communication glitches, steering relations back onto a stable and positive track.

Ultimately, state-to-state relations hinge on people-to-people bonds. The Chinese and American people are both great peoples with a shared aspiration for a better life, and there is no inherent hostility between them. Finding a way to coexist is not just possible; it is the will of the people.

We live in an interconnected world. Some might say that a sneeze in China-U.S. relations may get the world a cold. Yet, the Pacific Ocean is vast enough to accommodate the aspirations of two great nations. To build on the achievements of Busan, the first crucial step is to faithfully follow through on its outcomes.

Editor's note: The author is a commentator on international affairs, writing regularly for Xinhua News, Global Times, China Daily, CGTN, etc.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.