Opinion | Chinese leader: embrace a 'brighter future' through joint action
By Augustus K. Yeung
The World of politics would always remain divided after a long time of unity, and vice versa. So would be the bilateral relations of the United States and China, thanks to the hard work of two leaders – who is diametrically opposed to a former leader, now leading a secular "crusade" in America.
The San Francisco summit that took place last November is the watershed, marking the turning point from a hard-pressed one (initiated by Trump's trade war) to that of a breath of fresh air. This is the San Francisco Spirit, often proudly touted in China.
How long will this spirit of cooperation last?
As the philosophy of cycles prescribes, nothing lasts forever. All that the people from both countries wish for is a genuine spirit of cooperation and coexistence. The rest is subject to the natural law of change.
As America is marked by a national characteristic of competitiveness and hegemony, there will always be competition, albeit cooperation – as forged by the Chinese side on account of its persistent culture of universal harmony.
The domestic situation demands the U.S. president's folk wisdom, as Joe Biden rides the rough political waves back home, and so China may have to make supportive accommodations accordingly.
A chorus in state media has called for a "brighter future" in United States relations, reinforcing the conciliatory tone President Xi Jinping displayed during his recent meeting with an American delegation.
The rhythm of cooperation between Beijing and Washington is getting "stronger and stronger" – both at the government-to-government level and in the society of both countries – while their shared stake in the relationship is a "new normal", according to commentary published by the Xinhua news agency.
It was the fourth and latest in a series that started on Thursday about the "sustained, steady and sound" development of the bilateral relationship.
The language used in the series was in sharp contrast to that in a Xinhua article nearly two weeks earlier when it accused the US of having a "friend or foe" mindset that would "lead nowhere" …
"If we always maintain a 'bright heart' that seeks win-win for both nations and the world, China and the U.S. will surely illuminate the path ahead and march towards a 'brighter future'," Xinhua said.
It echoed the message President Xi Jinping imparted to a visiting group of U.S. chief executives and think tank analysts in Beijing recently.
Xi told them "China-U.S. relations cannot go back to the old days, but they can embrace a brighter future", while offering assurances Beijing would roll out more reform measures to improve the business climate.
Since a summit between Xi and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden in Woodside, California, nearly five months ago, the world's two largest economies have seen increasing signs of the relationship stabilizing, marked by more high-level visits, the continuing dialogues of several bilateral working groups and the growing number and frequency of unofficial and subnational contacts.
In a commentary published on Saturday, party mouthpiece People's Daily also got on board to call for better China-U.S. ties, framing win-win cooperation as the "underlying tone" of the relationship.
"Facing new developments and changes in China-U.S. economic and trade relations in recent years, both sides must adhere to mutual respect, reciprocity and equal negotiation," read the piece bylined Zhong Sheng – a homonym in Chinese for "the voice of China", "[China] is ready to work with the U.S. together to promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations."
Janet Yellen is now in Guangzhou. Yellen's agenda during her visit to China this month include challenging Beijing's subsidies for clean energy industries with a warning about the risks of "excess capacity". (Source: SCMP)
Her visit comes as a litmus test, testing how flimsy or strenuous the friendship forged by the San Francisco Spirit. Since she is the most welcomed U.S. high official in Beijing, she will eventually get her mission accomplished, though with a few minor modifications.
The burden of proof of genuine friendship is on China this time. Given the principle of reconciliation and the renewed spirit of cooperation, the Chinese side will have to make a compromise, which will come as a form of concession – as a sign of goodwill.
Yellen also stresses the "crucial" need to work together.
"FLOOD OF CHINA TECH PRODUCTS WORRIES YELLEN," was the title of a newspaper report.
Yellen arrived in Guangzhou last Thursday with a tough message to Chinese officials," You're producing too much of everything, especially clean energy goods, and the world can't absorb it."
China is unleashing a flood of electric vehicles, batteries, solar panels, semiconductors and other manufactured goods onto global markets, the result of years of massive government subsidies and weak domestic demand. Global prices for many goods are tanking, pressuring producers in other countries.
"We see a growing threat of money-losing firms that are going to have to sell off their production somewhere," a senior U.S. Treasury official unravels Yellen's mind.
The official added, Yellen would explain that "if there are trade actions around the world – it's not an anti-China thing, it's a response to their policies." (Source: The Standard)
From this overture, it all looks like China, in the spirit of Xi's good faith, would have to make some sacrifices – to show that China is "A friend in need, a friend indeed."
(Israel is breaking the rare, good news that it is pulling out Gaza, all but a battalion. Israel's being helpful.)
Afterall, this is the crucial period in the election year, make or break for "old friend" Biden; Xi Jinping, too, can help the Biden administration – where it doesn't hurt the nation too much – and for too long.
Afterall, it's only a matter of months, and China will see a grateful gleeful Biden.
Afterall, China can help America and the Western world "through joint action" to get rid of a sex-and-money-minded former troublesome leader, who has long lost the mandate of Heaven.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
To contact the writer, please direct email: AugustusKYeung@ymail.com
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