People's Daily Zhongsheng: Jointly safeguard the hard-won results of China-U.S. economic and trade consultations

From October 25 to 26 local time, China and the United States held a new round of economic and trade consultations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Guided by the important consensus reached during the various calls between the leaders of the two countries this year, both sides engaged in candid, in-depth, and constructive exchanges on a series of important economic and trade issues, reaching a basic consensus on arrangements to address each other's concerns. This achievement is hard-won and once again demonstrates that it is normal for the two major powers to have differences on economic and trade issues, but as long as they sit down to talk, uphold equal consultation and a constructive stance, they can completely resolve differences and find the right way to coexist.

The topics of this round of economic and trade consultations between China and the United States are extensive, involving the U.S. maritime logistics and shipbuilding industry 301 measures against China, extending the suspension period of reciprocal tariffs, fentanyl tariffs and law enforcement cooperation, agricultural product trade, export controls, etc. These are all important economic and trade issues of common concern to both sides, which also affect the stability of the global supply chain. Both sides agreed to further determine specific details and fulfill their respective domestic approval procedures. On these issues, both China and the United States have their own long-standing interests and concerns, but neither side has allowed the issues to obscure their vision; instead, they are problem-oriented, insisting on leveraging the role of the economic and trade consultation mechanism, continuing to engage in equal dialogue and consultation, creating conditions for the ultimate resolution of issues, alleviating concerns from all parties, and bringing benefits to the development of both sides and the world economy.

To properly manage differences and promote cooperation between China and the United States, it is most important to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries. Since the beginning of this year, President Xi Jinping and President Trump have had multiple conversations, setting the tone and direction for improving and developing China-U.S. relations. Under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, the economic and trade teams of both sides have held five rounds of consultations, reaching positive consensus. This fully demonstrates that to ensure these two giant ships of China and the United States sail together without veering off course or losing speed, it is essential to adhere unwaveringly to the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, implement the important consensus reached by the leaders without compromise, and maintain the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.

The essence of China-U.S. economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win cooperation; both sides benefit from cooperation and suffer from conflict, a truth that has been repeatedly validated by the development of relations between the two countries over the past few decades. Maintaining the stable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations aligns with the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples, as well as the expectations of the international community. Looking back at these five rounds of consultations, every time positive signals emerged from the meeting venue, they brought valuable warmth to the global market. As a responsible major country, China has demonstrated the resolve and wisdom of a great power, consistently advocating that China and the United States should show a grand vision and great responsibility, and opposing "decoupling and severing supply chains," while jointly safeguarding the security and stability of the global supply chain. The U.S. side has also repeatedly stated, "The U.S. has no intention of decoupling from China" and "The China-U.S. economic and trade relationship is the most influential bilateral relationship in the world." Since there is this consensus, both sides should move towards each other, cherish every achievement from consultations, continuously build mutual trust, manage differences, and promote the China-U.S. economic and trade relationship to steadily progress along the path of mutually beneficial cooperation.

On the road to modernization, China insists on expanding high-level openness, which will provide more opportunities for countries around the world, including the United States. The recently concluded Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China reviewed and approved the "14th Five-Year Plan" proposal, outlining the development blueprint for China over the next five years. From a long-term perspective, China's achievement of socialist modernization is a step-by-step, progressive historical process. By adhering to stability while seeking progress, China can respond to any external challenges with the certainty of its own development The plenary session proposed to "steadily expand institutional opening-up, maintain the multilateral trading system, expand international circulation, promote reform and development through openness, and share opportunities and develop together with countries around the world." The international community generally believes that, in the current climate of uncertainty, China demonstrates strategic foresight and strong stability by formulating and implementing medium- to long-term plans, injecting valuable certainty into global development.

The results of consultations are hard-won and require joint maintenance by both parties. China and the United States have the capability and wisdom to find a path of coexistence and mutual prosperity. When dialogue replaces confrontation and cooperation transcends differences, China and the United States can find proper ways to address each other's concerns, promote the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations, and bring more benefits to the people of both countries and the people of the world.

This article is sourced from: People's Daily Client, original title: "Zhong Sheng: Jointly Maintain the Hard-Won Results of Consultations"