Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian Publishes an Article Entitled “A Constructive China-US Relationship of Strategic Stability Brings New Opportunities for the[...]

On May 25, 2026, Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian published an article entitled "A Constructive China-US Relationship of Strategic Stability Brings New Opportunities for the Development of China-Australia Relations" in The Australian Financial Review, introducing the main outcomes and significance of the recent China-U.S. summit, elaborating on the new positioning of "a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability", stating China's clear position on the Taiwan Question, and calling on Australia to work with China to seize the significant favourable conditions brought by the China-US summit and promote the continuous improvement and development of China-Australia relations.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump paid a state visit to China. President Xi Jinping held discussions with President Trump in a way that was open, thorough, constructive, and strategic, reaching a series of common understandings. The China-U.S. summit drew wide attention and positive commentary from countries around the world, including Australia. I wish to brief you more details.

First, this is a historic summit that sought the right way for major countries to get along. The China-U.S. relationship is the most important and complex bilateral relationship in the world. However, as transformation not seen in a century accelerates across the globe, can China and the United States overcome the Thucydides Trap and create a new paradigm of major-country relations? Can they meet global challenges together and provide greater stability for the world? Facing these vital questions to the history, the world and the people, the China-U.S. summit once again played the role of an "anchor". Focusing on the well-being of the two peoples and the future of humanity, the two sides conducted extensive discussion on governance, China-U.S. relations, and international and regional hot spots. This sent an important message to the world: Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand, and the two countries can help each other succeed and advance the well-being of the whole world. They will have a significant and far-reaching impact on the evolving international landscape and the development of human society.

Second, this is an important summit that opens a new chapter in China-U.S. relations. During the summit, President Xi and President Trump agreed on a new vision of building a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability. China believes that it should be positive stability where cooperation is the mainstay and the relationship gets more resilient through exchange and many great things get done through cooperation to the benefit of both and all. It should be healthy stability where competition is kept within proper limits, and healthy competition where we learn from each other, pursue excellence together, and compete fairly in compliance with rules, not a zero-sum game of winner takes all. The purpose of competition should be to outdo oneself, so that both sides become better. It should be constant stability where differences are manageable. Both sides should maintain policy continuity and stability. It is very important for both sides to honor our words and provide more certainty for both countries' development and for the international situation. It should be lasting stability where peace is expectable and conflicts and wars are not acceptable. Conflict and confrontation between us will produce consequences no one can bear. In short, building a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability is not a slogan. It should be a goal both sides uphold and entail concerted actions, providing strategic guidance for bilateral relations over the next three years and beyond.

Third, this was a successful summit with fruitful outcomes. The visit included not only official talks and a welcoming banquet, but also private exchanges and a cultural visit. Through the nearly nine hours the two presidents spent with each other, they showed mutual respect, a commitment to peace, and a shared interest in pursuing cooperation. At the invitation of President Trump, President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to the U.S. this autumn. The political and diplomatic channel of the two countries has stayed active. The two countries' foreign policy officials and diplomats have properly handled differences and solve practical problems. The two economic and trade teams produced generally balanced and positive outcomes, including continuing to implement all the consensus reached in prior consultations, establishing a board of trade and a board of investment, addressing each other's concerns regarding market access for agricultural products, and expanding two-way trade within the framework of reciprocal tariff reduction. The two sides have also agreed to support each other in hosting this year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and G20 Summit. President Xi Jinping also welcomed more American young people to visit and study in China, and President Trump has repeatedly welcomed Chinese students to the U.S.. The Beijing summit will re-energize exchanges between the two sides' legislative bodies, subnational entities and business, academic and media communities. The visiting U.S. business leaders all said that they have a deep commitment to the Chinese market and want to grow their business here. Going forward, all levels in both countries must hit the ground running to follow through on what our presidents have agreed to and secure more tangible outcomes.

Fourth, this was a candid summit where both sides re-affirmed their positions on sensitive issues. The Taiwan question was an important topic taken up at the summit. China's position is very clear: the Taiwan question is China's internal affair; the mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China. This is the real status quo of the Taiwan Strait, and an important part of the postwar international order. We hope the U.S. side will strictly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués. The Taiwan question is the most important issue between China and the U.S. We hope the U.S. side will take concrete actions to keep the relationship on an even keel and contribute to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. China and the U.S. both agree on the vital importance of safeguarding cross-Strait peace and stability. To ensure this is the case, one must never indulge or support "Taiwan independence," because "Taiwan independence" and cross-Strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water. Our impression coming out of the summit is that the U.S. side understands China's position, takes China's concerns seriously, and, like the rest of the international community, does not agree with or accept Taiwan's moving towards independence. President Trump also publicly stated that U.S. policy towards Taiwan has not changed, and he does not want Taiwan to "go independent".

Fifth, the summit provides an important opportunity to further improve China-Australia relations. Both China and Australia are open economies and supporters of and beneficiaries from free trade, and both maintain important relations with the U.S.. A healthy and stable China-U.S. relationship serves the common interests of China and Australia. As many media outlets have noted, the China-U.S. summit will ease regional security tensions, reduce the escalating trend of tariff wars, promote the stability of global industrial and supply chains, bolster confidence in the international market, and inject more certainty into world economy. China is ready to work with Australia to fully seize the significant favourable conditions brought by the China-U.S. summit, jointly implement the important common consensus reached by the leaders of China and Australia, deepen mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation in various fields, and push China-Australia relations to continue moving forward in the direction of improvement and development.