On October 30, amid a backdrop of global uncertainty, President Xi Jinping will sit down with President Donald Trump in the port city of Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK), for their first face-to-face meeting since Trump returned to the White House. This high-stakes summit puts head-of-state diplomacy back in the driver’s seat, aiming to steer the world’s most influential bilateral relationship into calmer waters.
Why this meeting matters:
- High-level reset: first Xi–Trump face-to-face since January.
- Strong foundation: three strategic phone calls so far in 2023.
- Track record of cooperation: five trade rounds from Geneva to Kuala Lumpur.
At a regular press briefing, Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, emphasized that head-of-state diplomacy plays an "irreplaceable strategic, guiding role" in China-U.S. relations. He added that both sides are ready to work together for positive outcomes, bringing fresh guidance and momentum to bilateral ties.
Economic and trade consultations have covered hot-button topics such as U.S. Section 301 measures on maritime and shipbuilding, TikTok, the suspension of reciprocal tariffs, fentanyl-related fees, agricultural trade and export controls. Each of the five rounds delivered new signals, boosting investor confidence and calming global markets.
President Xi has repeatedly called dialogue and cooperation the only correct path. "Recalibrating the direction of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations requires the two sides to take the helm and set the right course," he said during a June phone call with President Trump.
Wei Zongyou, a professor at the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, notes that as challenges mount, head-of-state meetings are vital to steer clear of misunderstandings and misjudgments. "They provide strategic guidance and help prevent disruptions in global supply chains," he says.
Looking ahead, foreign minister Wang Yi has urged both nations to align for high-level interactions and create conditions for stable, sustainable cooperation. For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and travelers watching from every corner of the world, the Busan summit will be a critical litmus test: can two major powers bridge their differences and chart a shared path forward?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
