International experts hail new focus on constructive stability

The summit nevertheless highlighted continued diplomatic engagement between the world’s two largest economies amid ongoing strategic tensions.

From his first presidential campaign through his return to office, Beijing was presented as the adversary he alone could tame.

Though the visit received positive publicity due to its show of diplomacy and the re-establishment of trade relations, it is being viewed by Trump’s very own advisers as an invitation for Xi to flex his muscles over Taiwan within the next five years.

The US, however, is not seen as a partner but a country with which China seeks a “constructive relationship of strategic stability” — this is how Xi characterised it during his meeting with American President Donald Trump, who, last week, was on his first State visit to China in his second term.