Africa -China Review Africa -China Cooperation and Transformation
Published: November 22,2023
By Gerald Mbanda
The recent meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S president Joe Biden in San Franciscowas a positive step towards normalizing bilateral relations between the two leading world economies. President Xi Jinping was in the U.S to attend the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco, and also held asideline meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at FiloliEstate in the U.S. state of California.
On the international scene, the meeting of Xi and Biden signaled a positive step towards global peace and stability and also a starting point towards confidence building to tackle challenges that affect political and economic relations. There are a number of issues that the two countries do not agree on for example, in terms of trade which affect normal business transactions on both sides. On the political side, the Taiwan question and stability in the Taiwan Strait. China has always argued the US to respect the One China Policy and consider Taiwan as part of China. To the contrary, US politicians have on a number of occasions provoked China by visiting Taiwan and making political statements suggesting intentions to provide support to separatists in order to create ‘an independent Taiwan.”
President Xi meeting with friends of China was evidence that the people of U.S and China share a lot in common than what separates them. During a welcome dinner hosted by friendly organizations in the US Xi delivered a speech stressing the role of people to people exchanges. Xi said, “To increase exchanges between our peoples, especially between the youth, China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years.” The youth are the future leaders and once the two countries have the political will for the youth from both sides to interact; this creates better understanding among the young generation as well as building confidence for future.
The difference in political systems between the U.S and China should not be a source of conflict and misunderstanding. Every country has the right to choose a political system that serves its people and able to tackle socio-economic and political challenges, and consequently able to deliver national development and a better life for the people. There is no system that should be considered superior to the other and therefore, mutual respect is crucial to build both bilateral and multilateral relations.
In order to build confidence and iron out differences, there is need for more face- to-face meetings between the two leaders as well as politicians and security chiefs from both countries. For the U.S. and China to resume military-to-military communication after a long period of radio silence, was among the important decisions reached between Xi and Biden talks.
Such direct talks will avoid misunderstandings, and create a path of working together to solve any outstanding issues. Improved relations between the US and China will go a long way in improving economies of the two richest countries in the world. Additionally, it will also give confidence to the global community that peaceful coexistence is paramount for global peace and stability.
Gerald Mbanda is a Researcher and publisher on China and Africa.
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