There are signs of stabilization in the decline of China US relations

With leaders from some countries and regions in the Asia Pacific region arriving in the United States from the 13th, the 30th APEC Leaders' Informal Meeting has begun. This is the first time since 2011 that the United States has hosted an APEC Leaders' Informal Meeting, and it is also the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the APEC Leaders' Informal Meeting mechanism. Against the backdrop of weak global economic recovery and intensified geopolitical conflicts, the Asia Pacific region, which accounts for one-third of the world's population, over 60% of the world's economy, and nearly half of the world's trade, has become the driving force for global economic growth. How the two world's largest economies, China and the United States, coexist will determine the fate and future of the world. "Global attention is focused on the China US Leaders' Meeting," South Korea's "Daily Economy" reported on the 13th, stating that the world is looking forward to benefiting from the easing of China US relations. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a regular press conference on the 13th that competition among major powers is not in line with the current trend of the times and cannot solve the problems of the United States itself and the challenges facing the world. She emphasized, "We hope that the United States will implement its commitments not to seek a 'new cold war' or have no intention of engaging in conflicts with China, and work together to promote the return of China US relations to a healthy and stable development track."

"Showcasing APEC opportunities to the United States"

"The growth of the Asia Pacific economy is more stable than in previous years, but there is a risk of downturn." Hong Kong's "South China Morning Post" stated on the 13th that research institutions of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) released a report on the economic growth and trade prospects of the Asia Pacific region at the APEC Forum held in San Francisco on the same day. The report predicts that the economic growth rate of the 21 APEC economies will reach 3.3% this year, higher than the 2.6% in 2022, but may lag behind other global economic regions in the next three years. "The growth of the Asia Pacific economy has improved, but it is still walking on a tightrope in downward risks," said Carlos, director of the research institution. Geopolitical issues are a key risk factor for APEC economic growth, and trade protectionism, inflation, debt, and climate change will also have a significant impact.

According to the report, although it is still too early to determine whether these risks are the result of "decoupling", Carlos said when discussing the focus of the APEC summit's meeting between Chinese and American leaders, "A stable relationship between China and the United States is a win-win situation for everyone." "As the world's two largest economies, their cooperation is very meaningful."

According to the Associated Press, Indonesian President Joko arrived in the United States on the 13th local time. He will first hold a meeting with US President Biden at the White House and will fly to San Francisco the next day to attend an informal APEC leadership meeting. According to the report, this is the first time since 2011 that the United States has held an informal meeting of APEC leaders, where leaders from 21 economies will gather to discuss how to better stimulate trade and economic growth in the Asia Pacific region. This is also the largest international political summit held in San Francisco since the United Nations World Organization Conference, which facilitated the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. Laura Todd, Chairman of the 2023 APEC Senior Officials Meeting, recently stated that hosting this meeting is not only an opportunity to showcase the United States to the other 20 economies of APEC, but also an opportunity to showcase APEC to the United States.

The US federal government and San Francisco have put in a lot of effort to make this APEC summit a magnificent event. In preparation for the APEC summit, San Francisco is vigorously revitalizing its city, according to French Radio International on the 13th. The United States, which is eager to showcase its world leadership position, will host leaders from all sides at this week's APEC summit. San Francisco, known for its drugs and homelessness, has begun to vigorously clean up its city. The Los Angeles Times reported that San Francisco has cleared thousands of homeless people in the area.

Under the vigorous cleaning by the authorities, the streets of San Francisco are clean and the city's appearance has been comprehensively upgraded. The New York Times reported that on the main thoroughfare in downtown San Francisco, sidewalks have been repaved and sculptures painted with new paint. Many streets have added decorative murals on both sides. The New York Times joked that the air in San Francisco is filled with an atmosphere of teenagers frantically cleaning up party scenes before their parents return home.

"The Chinese side is not afraid of competition, but opposes using competition to define China US relations"

"As the 30th APEC summit of 21 economic leaders gathers together, global attention is focused on the China US Leaders' Meeting." South Korea's "Daily Economy" stated on the 13th that before the APEC summit, China and the United States are cautiously creating a thawing atmosphere. US Treasury Secretary Yellen recently concluded a two-day meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. The two sides reached an agreement on "not seeking decoupling and pursuing healthy economic relations", and decided to strengthen communication between economic channels. Susan Thornton, former Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs in the United States, said, "The international community is very much looking forward to the US China summit, which will help promote active cooperation between the two countries in various fields." At the same time, before the China US summit, China, the world's largest importer of soybeans, purchased more than 3 million tons of US soybeans last week alone, sending a "reconciliation signal.".

"Relaxing the relationship between the two countries is the consistent goal of the leaders of China and the United States." The Associated Press said on the 13th that the meeting between the US and Chinese leaders during the APEC summit is highly anticipated, and both leaders have clear goals.   According to reports, the Biden administration hopes to control the increasingly fierce competition between the two countries, maintain open communication channels, and prevent misunderstandings that may lead to direct conflict between the two countries.  

In an interview with Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) on the 12th local time, US National Security Assistant Sullivan claimed that the resumption of dialogue between the US and China militaries will be the top priority of this week's meeting between the two heads of state, as tensions continue. He said, "President Biden believes that communication between the military forces of the two countries is necessary for responsible management of competition and ensuring that competition does not escalate into conflict." Previously, White House National Security Council officials also stated that the goal of this meeting is to control competition, prevent conflict risks, and ensure smooth communication channels.  

On the 13th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China is not afraid of competition, but opposes using competition to define China US relations. She said that when it comes to concerns, the US should truly respect China's reasonable concerns and legitimate development rights, rather than just emphasizing its own concerns and harming China's interests. Attempting to shape another country according to one's own will and pattern has been a typical form of hegemonism from the beginning, and it is impossible to succeed.    

The world looks forward to "stable Sino US relations"

"The fragile global economy is in jeopardy, and the world is looking forward to China and the United States seeking to ease tensions during the APEC summit." ABC reported on the 12th that since 2020, the world has encountered one crisis after another. The International Monetary Fund predicts that global economic growth is weak, with a growth rate of 3% this year and 2.9% in 2024. The economic division between China and the United States is causing harm to the world. The world is increasingly hoping that Washington and Beijing can ease tensions at the APEC summit. The report states that the United States and China are the world's two largest economies, providing over 40% of the world's goods and services. When Washington and Beijing engage in fierce competition for five consecutive years, the rest of the world is also affected. When US and Chinese leaders meet again during the APEC summit, it will have a global impact and the world economy will definitely benefit from the easing of US China relations.

"The meeting between Chinese and American leaders after a year will also be a major watershed in South Korea's diplomacy with China." South Korea's "Pioneer Economy" announced on the 13th that the first meeting between China and the United States will be held in San Francisco, and the result will affect the diplomatic direction of other countries around the world. The government of Yoon Seok yeol is also closely monitoring. The report suggests that the China US dollar summit may be an important opportunity to determine the direction of China South Korea relations. Although some allies of the United States have a more aggressive stance towards China, the vast majority of countries are seeking practical benefits behind the scenes. At present, the government of Yoon Seok yeol's policy towards China is shifting from the first stage to the second stage, and South Korea needs to provide a detailed explanation of what diplomatic route to adopt in response to China.