BEIJING: China and the United States should use the momentum from the recent exchanges between two presidents to move the relationship forward and open a new chapter in bilateral ties, China’s top envoy to Washington said on Wednesday.
Head-of-state diplomacy had helped keep the relationship on course at critical moments. In Beijing, the two presidents agreed on a new vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability. In Washington, they gave that vision more substance through the principles of “respect, fairness and reciprocity”, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng said at a reception in Washington marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
More than 800 guests attended the Sept 30 reception at the Chinese Embassy, including US Senator Steve Daines, representatives from the White House, State Department and Department of Commerce, members of the diplomatic corps, and people from various sectors.
On the same day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated the Chinese people on China’s National Day.
“On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of China on the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1,” Rubio said in a statement. He also wished the Chinese people “goodwill, along with peace, health and happiness in the coming year”.
Xie called 2026 “a big year for China-US relations”. Trump visited Beijing in May, and Xi made his first state visit to the US in 11 years in September.
“With President Xi Jinping making his first state visit to the United States in 11 years, the two presidents exchanged visits in just six months, marking a historic milestone and setting a new course for China-US relations,” Xie said.
“Our two presidents may meet twice more before year-end—in Shenzhen and Miami—giving our relationship fresh momentum.”
“Our two countries must step up to turn this vision into action — toward a relationship where cooperation is the mainstay, competition is kept within proper limits, differences are managed, and peace can be expected,” Xie said. “Together, we must overcome the Thucydides Trap and find the right way for China and the United States to get along.”
The September visit produced eight deliverables and understandings, Xie said, covering areas including trade and economic ties, agriculture and law enforcement. He said the two sides should keep expanding cooperation, work through outstanding issues and pursue initiatives that can bring practical benefits.
Sean Stein, president of the US-China Business Council, said the recent engagement between the two presidents gave both sides an opportunity to turn high-level commitments into practical progress and give businesses more confidence in the future.
“The commitment by our two countries to build a constructive relationship of strategic stability based on respect, fairness and reciprocity is an important and strong foundation on which to build,” Stein said.
Paul Triolo, senior vice-president for China and technology policy lead at DGA-Albright Stonebridge, said the summit had come at an important moment and that the focus now should be on building a more constructive and stable relationship.
“The next six months will be very important to see if both sides can really build a constructive and stable strategic relationship,” Triolo told China Daily.
Xie also spoke about China’s development and its benefit beyond China. This year marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, he said.
“As the country makes steady strides toward national rejuvenation, it will bring more stability and positive momentum to the world,” Xie said.
People-to-people exchanges were also a recurring theme during the evening. Chase F. Robinson, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, said in his speech that he shared the ambassador’s optimism about the future of cultural exchange between the two countries.
Ronald Sakolsky, an American educator whose friendship with Chinese farmer Yin Yuzhen was highlighted at the reception, urged younger generations to keep telling stories of friendship between the two peoples.
“The people want the relations. It must happen,” Sakolsky said in his speech.
Xie also referred to Sakolsky’s support for Yin’s efforts to turn desert into forest, saying goodwill and perseverance had helped make “the seemingly impossible possible”.
Elisabeth Warren, a retired geologist attending the reception, said to China Daily that she was particularly struck by the story of reforestation in Inner Mongolia and hoped to visit China in the next few years. Asked about Xi’s National Day remarks, she said she found the speech promising and that it “gives one hope”.
The reception also included stories from American participants in pickleball bilateral exchange programs and performances by artists from the China National Opera House. The performances, featuring a mix of Chinese and Western songs such as The Girl from Dabancheng and Drinking Song, drew repeated applause, and some guests joined in from their seats. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
