In a season of summitry, China seeks stabler major-country ties

FINDING THE RIGHT PATH

During their summit, Xi and Trump have agreed on a new vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability, providing strategic guidance for the world's most important and complex bilateral relationship over the next three years and beyond.

In Beijing, the two presidents spent nearly nine hours together across talks, a banquet, a visit to the Temple of Heaven and a private meeting at the Zhongnanhai compound.

Xi said that looking back at the course of China-US relations, whether or not the two countries could have mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation is the key to whether the relationship can advance steadily. For his part, Trump also voiced willingness to work with Xi to strengthen communication, expand cooperation, properly manage differences and open a "fantastic future together."

Stable relations among major countries require mutual trust, regular dialogue and the sustained momentum of cooperation. In this regard, China-Russia ties offer a clear example of this approach.

Putin's latest visit occurs in a special year, marking the 30th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation.

At the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Putin quoted the Chinese proverb — "One day apart feels like three autumns" — to convey the closeness of his friendship with Xi. The Russian leader has made 25 visits to China, and the two leaders have met more than 40 times on bilateral and multilateral occasions since 2013.

Ahead of his visit, Putin delivered a video address, hailing Russia-China ties as having reached a "truly unprecedented level," crediting his close exchanges with Xi for enabling both nations to "chart the boldest plans for the future and bring them to life."

Over the years, China and Russia have made important contributions to upholding international fairness and justice and promoting the building of a new type of international relations, becoming a key constant amidst profound global changes unseen in a century, Xi said when he joined Putin to meet the press in Beijing.

In recent months, China has also intensified engagement with Europe, welcoming a steady stream of leaders from France, Ireland, Finland, Britain, Germany and Spain.

On China-EU relations, Xi has said that cooperation outweighs competition and consensus surpasses differences, expressing the hope that the European side can work with China toward the same direction, adhere to the positioning of strategic partners, and uphold openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation.