Beijing sees Trump presidency as ‘critical’ juncture for Sino-US ties

Beijing views the second presidency of Donald Trump as a “critical” juncture that could improve ties with the United States, according to official commentaries in state media.

“The river of history is constantly flowing, and the critical points are often just a few steps,” the People’s Daily, official newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, said in an op-ed published on Monday, the Trump’s inauguration date.

Describing the international situation as “full of change and chaos,” the article said the bilateral relationship should be managed from a “strategic and long-term perspective, which will bring more certainty to a turbulent world.”

“China-U.S. relations are the most important bilateral relations in the world … affecting the future and destiny of mankind,” the commentary said, citing a need for more exchanges between the Chinese and American people.

“Both sides need to move towards each other,” it said.

The official commentaries come amid multiple media reports that Trump plans to visit China within 100 days of taking office, and that a face-to-face meeting with Xi is on the cards.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who attended Trump’s inauguration ceremony on behalf of Xi Jinping, met with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance on Jan. 19 to discuss various bilateral issues including fentanyl, trade balance and regional stability.

Current affairs commentator Wu Qiang said a more domestically focused approach to global cooperation is actually something that is shared by China and the Trump administration, and that the relationship would likely improve with more direct contact between Trump and Xi.

“At the very least, they can balance the relationship by strengthening the relationship between their individual leaders,” Wu said. “This is the kind of strengthening that is welcomed by the leaders of China and also Russia.”

He said such relationships would act as a “parallel” axis of international cooperation, alongside the China-Russia alliance and the U.S. relationship with allies NATO, Europe and Southeast Asia.

Russia, Trade

Commentator Yuan Hongbing said Trump’s plan to visit China is likely part of a bid to get Beijing’s help with a ceasefire in Ukraine.

“The fundamental reason he is now showing goodwill towards Xi Jinping is that he wants to meet his diplomatic commitments,” Yuan said. “Russia is already in a position of advantage on the battlefield.”

But trade is also likely high on the agenda, according to Yuan and a veteran Chinese journalist who gave only the surname Kong for fear of reprisals.

“It’s part of the plan to make America great again,” Kong said, referencing Trump’s slogan. “He believes that the trade deficit has had an impact on the U.S. economy.”

“But what kind of pressure he will bring to bear … that will be a key focus of his trip to China.”

Sun Kuo-hsiang, director of Taiwan’s Nanhua University, said Taiwan could see its defense concerns drop further down the list of U.S. priorities under Trump.

“During his first term, Trump put a strong emphasis on transactional diplomacy, and so he may use Taiwan as leverage, for example, reducing arms sales or limiting official contacts, in exchange for concessions from China on trade or international issues,” Sun told RFA Mandarin in a recent interview.

He said that could undermine Taiwan’s ability to defend itself in the event of a Chinese invasion.

“If Sino-U.S. ties ease, then China may believe that the United States has softened on Taiwan, and step up its military and diplomatic activities,” Sun said. “That will bring far more uncertainty to the situation in the Taiwan Strait.”

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.