中文
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
By Pan Deng
The meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday transcended routine diplomacy. It served as a critical opportunity to define the trajectory of the world's most consequential relationship at a moment when global challenges are deepening and geopolitical anxieties flaring.
The principles articulated during the meeting underscored a singular, inescapable truth: The stable development of China-U.S. relations not only affects the well-being of both peoples, but also the common future and destiny of the world. The principles advocate for a partnership model, arguing that this new era demands strategic clarity and implementation fidelity from both.
The helm of statecraft
The stability of the China-U.S. relationship hinges critically upon the strategic consensus forged between the two heads of state. The Busan meeting was the capstone of a period of renewed high-level engagement, following three significant phone calls earlier this year. Across all these exchanges, one thread has remained unbroken: China's consistent call for a relationship defined by partnership, not rivalry.
In Busan, this strategic framework was crystallized, with Xi asserting that China and the United States must be seen as partners and friends, a necessity dictated by both historical experience and current global reality. Acknowledging the friction inevitable between two leading economies with divergent national conditions, he underscored that such differences are normal and should not define the relationship.
The path to substantial progress is achievable if the two countries engage as partners, seeking common ground while reserving differences. Viewing each other as rivals and engaging in vicious competition will inevitably lead to setbacks or even regression.
The meeting highlighted the central role of leadership in navigating this complex terrain. Drawing on theories of diplomatic signaling and trust-building in international relations, the direct exchange between the heads of state acted as the ultimate stabilizing mechanism.
Xi emphasized the joint responsibility held by the two leaders, describing their role as being at the helm of the relationship. In the face of global "winds, waves and challenges," their duty is to stay on the correct course, navigate the complexities and ensure the steady sailing of this giant ship.
However, stability is inherently a two-way imperative requiring synergy and action that honors spoken commitments. While China has maintained a consistent diplomatic stance, the effectiveness of the consensus reached at the highest level relies on its consistent, undistorted implementation by the entire U.S. administration.
For this relationship to move forward, words must match actions, and the major power commitments made by the U.S. must be honored without being undermined by some U.S. politicians or elements within the system.
A cargo ship docks at a container terminal of Tianjin Port in north China's Tianjin, April 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
China's economy: Resilience and global opportunity
China's ability to maintain a consistent foreign policy framework is underpinned by the resilience and predictability of its domestic development path. Xi provided a strong assessment of the economic momentum: The Chinese economy grew by 5.2 percent in the first three quarters of the year, with import and export trade in goods expanding by 4 percent, a notable accomplishment given domestic and external difficulties.
He characterized the economy as being like a vast ocean, big, resilient and promising, confirming the nation's confidence and capability to navigate all forms of risks and challenges. This confidence is rooted in long-term, comprehensive planning, as demonstrated by the recent deliberation and adoption of recommendations for the next five-year economic and social development plan by the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
Critically, Xi offered clarity regarding China's global intentions. He reaffirmed that over more than seven decades, the nation's focus has been on managing its own affairs well, improving itself and sharing development opportunities globally. China has no intention to challenge or supplant anyone.
China's focus on deepening reform, expanding opening up, promoting high-quality economic growth and advancing common prosperity is the key to its success, and simultaneously, the factor that will expand the space for global cooperation, including with the United States. This unwavering commitment to peaceful development contrasts sharply with the zero-sum mindset often seen in certain corners of the West.
Major country responsibility
Another pressing theme emerging from the Busan meeting was the stark reality of the global environment. Today's turbulent and conflict-ridden world faces unprecedented challenges. No single country, not even the U.S. or China, can tackle issues like climate change, pandemics, or global financial instability alone.
Xi noted that the economic and trade teams had made progress and reached consensus on solving various issues. He called for these teams to swiftly finalize follow-up steps, ensuring effective implementation to inject much-needed confidence into the global economy. This is recognition that cooperation between China and the U.S. benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both.
The bedrock of stability remains economic ties. Xi insisted that the business relationship "should continue to serve as the anchor and driving force for China-U.S. relations, not a stumbling block or a point of friction." The leadership must think big and recognize the long-term benefit of cooperation, and must not fall into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation. Dialogue, Xi reminded, "is better than confrontation."
Beyond trade, there is significant potential for bilateral cooperation in areas ranging from combating illegal immigration and telecom fraud to anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence and infectious diseases.
This call for joint action is framed within a broader understanding that competition among major powers should not define our era. Instead, the two nations should focus on jointly shouldering their responsibility as major countries. Only through unity and cooperation can China, the U.S. and the whole world overcome these difficult times together.
The Busan meeting provides a responsible and necessary compass for China-U.S. relations, asserting the viability and necessity of partnership over rivalry in an era defined by global instability. China's responsible conduct, coupled with the resilience of its ocean-like economy and its commitment to peaceful development, positions it as a driver of global opportunity.
The stability of this relationship is essential for global well-being. By recognizing the stakes and choosing the path of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, the two largest economies can fulfil their joint responsibility and ensure the stability required for all to navigate the centennial crucible.
Pan Deng is a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN.
