As U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a closely watched summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, China’s state-run People’s Daily published a prominent commentary signalling Beijing’s desire for a more stable relationship with Washington.
The article, published on May 13 under the headline “China-U.S. Relations Cannot Return To The Past, But Can Have A Better Future”, appeared ahead of Trump’s state visit to China from May 13 to 15.
The commentary struck a measured and optimistic tone at a time when relations between the world’s two largest economies remain strained over trade, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, Iran and technology restrictions.
The article said China-U.S. relations had reached a “brand-new historical juncture” and described another meeting between Xi and Trump as “a new starting point of milestone significance”.
“Another handshake between the Chinese and American presidents will surely become a new starting point of milestone significance,” the commentary stated.
The piece also praised the role of both leaders in steering bilateral ties through periods of crisis and tension.
“Facing storms and turbulence, the strategic guidance of the two heads of state time and again steered China-U.S. relations through urgent risks and back onto the correct course,” it said.
The commentary further argued that people in both countries continued to place hopes on stable relations between Beijing and Washington.
Beijing Calls For Stability In Turbulent World
The article framed 2026 as an especially important year for both nations, noting the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the approaching 250th anniversary of the United States.
Against the backdrop of growing global instability, the newspaper said expectations were rising internationally for both powers to provide greater certainty and stability.
“Looking globally, amid an increasingly turbulent world, expectations are growing for China and the United States to provide greater stability to the world,” the article said.
The commentary also raised broader questions about whether both countries could “respect each other”, manage differences and promote “stable, healthy and sustainable development” in bilateral relations.
Trump-Xi Talks To Cover Major Global Issues
Trump’s visit marks his first trip to China since 2017 and comes at a sensitive moment in U.S.-China relations.
Officials from both sides have indicated that discussions during the summit are expected to include trade, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, Iran, rare earth minerals and nuclear weapons.
The two countries are also expected to discuss extending a trade truce reached last autumn that allowed rare earth exports from China to continue flowing to the United States.
Beijing has also signalled interest in expanding economic cooperation mechanisms, while Washington is seeking progress on agricultural purchases and market access for American firms.
Global Attention Focused On Beijing
The People’s Daily article concluded by saying that international attention was now fixed on Beijing as the two leaders prepared for another historic interaction.
“Global attention is focused on Beijing, anticipating another historic interaction between the Chinese and American presidents, and searching for answers about the future,” it stated.
The commentary is widely being viewed as an attempt by Beijing to project stability and openness ahead of the high-profile summit between Xi and Trump.