Chinese Scholar Elaborates on Beijing's 'Constructive and Strategically Stable Relationship' to Manage Differences

During the Trump-Xi summit, China proposed establishing a 'constructive and strategically stable relationship' with the U.S. Beijing scholar Diao Daming wrote in the People's Daily today that 'strategic competition' cannot define the entirety of U.S.-China relations. He emphasized that a 'constructive and strategically stable relationship' allows the U.S. and China to continuously enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, engage in moderate competition, and effectively manage differences. The People's Daily published an article by Diao Daming, a professor at the School of International Studies and deputy dean of the National Academy of Development and Strategy at Renmin University of China, on its third page today, explaining Beijing's proposed 'constructive and strategically stable U.S.-China relationship.' Diao wrote that 'strategic competition' is inconsistent with historical trends and the theme of the era, and it cannot define the entirety of U.S.-China relations. Using strategic competition with China as a policy starting point is a misreading of China's development and a misjudgment of U.S.-China relations. It cannot solve the problems of either country, their bilateral issues, or global challenges. Instead, it will undermine the stability of the relationship and make it difficult for both sides to secure a favorable external environment for development. He further elaborated on 'constructive strategic stability,' pointing out it should be a positive stability focused on cooperation, a benign stability with moderate competition, a normal stability with manageable differences, and a lasting stability with peace in sight. Diao stated that these 'four stabilities' further clarify the correct way for the U.S. and China to interact in different fields. In areas where both sides have broad common interests, they should look at the big picture and the long term, adhering to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation to continuously lengthen the list of cooperation and expand the pie of cooperation. He said that it is inevitable for the U.S. and China to have contradictions and differences due to their different national conditions, but the competition must be moderate and not a zero-sum game. It should be a benign competition that improves oneself and illuminates each other. With the premise of maintaining strategic stability in the bilateral relationship, continuous enhancement of mutually beneficial cooperation, moderate competition, and effective management of differences will help promote the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of the relationship, bringing more peace, prosperity, and progress to the world. Diao concluded that building a 'constructive and strategically stable' relationship requires both sides to work together and take action. U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his state visit to China on the 15th and returned to the United States. According to Chinese state media press releases, during their talks, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump agreed to build a 'constructive and strategically stable U.S.-China relationship' as a new positioning for the relationship, providing strategic guidance for the next three years and beyond.