“A New Era – A New Direction of China and US Relations” Seminar Held before Trump’s Arrival in Beijing

Digital Media Center (DMC) of China International Publishing Group (CIPG) hosted a seminar – “a New Era–a New Direction of China-U.S. Relations” in Beijing on November 7, the eve of President Donald Trump’s China visit.

Five senior experts in Sino-U.S. diplomacy and economic and trade relations had an in-depth discussion on the issues of the two countries’ current relationship, and future prospects for after the two leaders’ meeting, focusing on “What is the impact on Sino-U.S. relations, and how will it influence the situation in the Asia-Pacific region and the wider world?”

The experts attending the seminar and delivering speeches were Huo Jianguo, vice-president of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies; Li Yong, director of the China-US-EU Study Center of China Association of International Trade (CAIT); Zhao Kejin, professor of the School of Social Sciences of Tsinghua University; Lv Xiang, senior research fellow of Center for China and Globalization (CCG) and an expert on US studies with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Jake Parker, vice president of the U.S.-China Business Council.

In a second discussion, they also exchanged views on the two countries’ energy cooperation, BIT, investment, trade conflict and other issues concerning diplomatic and economic cooperation.

In the past five years, China has implemented an all-round diplomatic strategy. The 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress was held successfully last month, confirming that China is entering a new era of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. At the same time, China’s major country diplomacy is opening a new chapter.

During this significant period, American President Donald Trump will take a state visit on November 8-10, 2017. This is the first meeting between President Xi and President Trump since the closure of 19^th CPC national congress, and is also the very first visit of President Trump to China since his election as US president. As another milestone in the relationship of China and US, this visit and the meeting between two heads of state is attracting worldwide attention. It is the result of a long-standing positive interaction in policy and diplomacy between China and US.

Fang Zhenghui, Deputy director general of CIPG made a speech during the seminar. In his view, the Trump visit marks the second leg of a two-way interactive relationship between China and the United States, and the beginning of a new cycle. He said that CIPG is the oldest and largest professional external communication organization in China’s history, and the purpose in holding this seminar immediately before President Trump’s visit is to explore in depth the influence of the China-US relationship and how this significant event will affect the world. It will also offer a great opportunity to introduce overseas media to China’s new development strategy.

“Cooperation between big countries is crucial to global governance. It is undeniable that there is still some conflict and divergence between China and US, and this will take a very long time to resolve. In the meantime, building strong communication is an effective way to solve the problem. And we have to explore cooperation in broader fields than simply trade,” said Huo Jianguo.

Li Yong said, “China and US are deeply related in economic and trade relations, and the economies in these two countries have become a major pillar of the world economy. Relations between China and the United States, whether good or bad, have a profound impact on the global economy. For Trump’s first visit to China, China will show sincerity, and can expect fruitful results. It is expected that the two heads of states will build a closer personal relationship, and establish more high-level strategic communication and a growing consensus on more pragmatic cooperation.”

Zhao Kejin said that China had declared the arrival of a new era during the 19^th CPC National Congress. At the same time, the world is also entering a new era. Against a complex global background, it is wise that China has proposed to build “a community of shared future for mankind”. Furthermore, China should take precautions to deal with the frequent friction between China and U.S. on economic and trade issues.

Lv Xiang explained that the U.S. has always favored elements of a     policy of isolationism. He did not intend this in a derogatory sense – on the contrary, he suggests that this may have been a factor in what has made America strong from the beginning.It is apparent that the Trump administration has a tendency to a new kind of isolationism. Trump’s America First foreign policy speech declared it was time to “shake the rust off of America’s foreign policy” and drop American pretensions to remaking the world in its image. This means that the U. S. may reduce its involvement in global governance and its engagement in the multilateral system. Understanding this can help China understand Trump’s policies and measures more clearly.

Jake Parker, vice president of the U.S.- China Business Council, said that the Sino-US economic and trade relationship has always been the most sensitive issue. China is pushing for greater economic reform. It is hoped that companies in China and the United States will share a more equal business and competitive environment. Neither of the two countries’ interests should be harmed.

The event was hosted by DMC, the Digital Media Center of China International Publishing Group, which shoulders the main responsibility for overseas communication. The DMC motto is “presenting China to the world” through making China’s voice heard and responding to the world in ways that engage with social media users. It provides a range of material involving political comment in Chinese and English, and interpretation of national affairs from well-known experts, including micro-video, micro-animation, micro-documentaries, talk shows, and micro-film.

Many mainstream domestic media attended the event. They included People’s Daily, Xinhua, CNR, CCTV, CRI, China Daily, China News Agency, Global Times, International Business Daily and some CIPG subordinate companies including China.org.cn, Beijing Review, China Today, China Pictorial, People’s China, and China Report.