President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States on September 23-25 produced eight key outcomes. Among them, Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to further define the “constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability,” agreed upon during Trump’s state visit to Beijing in May, as being “on the basis of respect, fairness and reciprocity.” The continued development of this framework is an encouraging sign of a growing commitment to positive and constructive engagement.

The new framework does not aim to eliminate differences, but to bring them under control. It is expected to contribute to the avoidance of zero-sum interactions, offering the international community a feasible model for peaceful coexistence among major countries.

Other outcomes include a reciprocal tariff reduction on approximately $30 billion worth of goods imported from each other, the establishment of the Board of Trade and other mechanisms, the opening of the China-U.S. AI Dialogue and increased collaboration between counter-narcotics and law enforcement agencies. All these contribute to a predictable policy environment for businesses in both countries in the short term and inject much-needed certainty into the global market.

Throughout Trump’s second presidential term, the two heads of state have maintained close communication, holding three meetings, five telephone conversations and multiple exchanges of correspondence since January 2025. This has fostered a pattern of mutual respect and sincerity.

As the latest deliverables and understandings are implemented, the constructive relationship of strategic stability between China and the U.S. is expected to become a key pillar supporting the international order. In an increasingly turbulent world, constructive interaction will be indispensable for both countries in addressing global challenges and deescalating hotspot issues.

Currently, structural inconsistencies in China-U.S. relations remain unresolved. The United States still views China as a security threat. The bipartisan consensus on containing China’s rise remains unchanged. The trend of “selective decoupling” in the technology and investment sectors has not reversed. Against this backdrop, the significance of a constructive relationship of strategic stability lies not in resolving conflicts, but in preventing them from getting out of control. For China, the United States and the world at large, the very existence of this safety barrier is of great value. BR