China’s Xi seeks reset of bilateral relations with Trump

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged Donald Trump to work with him to create a “stable, healthy and sustainable” relationship between the world’s two superpowers.

Then US president Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands on November 8, 2017. Picture: AFP

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged Donald Trump to work with him to create a “stable, healthy and sustainable” relationship between the world’s two superpowers.

In a message sent by Mr Xi on Thursday, the Chinese leader told the incoming American president that together they could “find a new path of correct co-existence between China and the United States … benefiting both countries and the world”.

“History has shown us that co-operation between China and the United States benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both,” Mr Xi wrote.

He said “mutual respect, peaceful co-existence and win-win co-operation” should be the foundational principles of the world’s most important bilateral relationship.

“A stable, healthy and sustainable relationship between China and the United States is in line with the common interests of both countries and the expectations of the international community,” Mr Xi said.

Mr Trump has promised to impose tariffs of 60 per cent or more on all imports from China, a threat that has created anxiety in many Chinese businesses and China’s top trade partners, including Australia.

While Mr Xi’s message did not mention the tariff threat, or any other specific policy, leading Chinese international relations scholars have offered clues into the various schools of thought circulating in China’s policy and
advisory class about how to handle the incoming administration.

Shen Yi, a nationalist scholar at Fudan University, mocked Mr Trump’s tariff threat, saying the experience of his first administration was that the majority of the impost fell on US consumers.

He argued that if Mr Trump imposed tariffs it would backfire on America. “Trump is stubborn, willing to try and likes to hit the wall of economics. So let him hit it – and show the consequences.”

Mei Xinyu, a researcher at the Institute of International Trade and Economic Co-operation think tank, said China’s experience with the first Trump administration had demonstrated the need to “show our determination and ability to fight back”.

He said Mr Trump’s return to the White House would create opportunities for China to ­assume the role of “global free-trade standard bearer”. “The heart should be hot, the head should be cool,” he advised.

Huang Jing, a professor at Shanghai International Studies University, said Mr Trump’s return would “turn the whole world upside down”.

He urged a close study of the reaction to Mr Trump by America’s allies, which would have a great influence on the future of Beijing’s relations with Washington. “I have always said that we should view Sino-US relations within the framework of the world pattern,” he said.

Professor Huang also cautioned those hoping that Elon Musk would temper Mr Trump’s China policy. “Musk may implement his influence on policies as Trump’s personal adviser, but don’t expect him to join the core team of the Trump administration and play a big role,” he said.