Xi's 16-character message: 'Prioritize cooperation, temper competition, manage differences, expect peace'

President Donald Trump welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) upon his arrival at the White House in Washington on Friday (local time). [UPI]
President Donald Trump welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) upon his arrival at the White House in Washington on Friday (local time). [UPI]

China's ruling Communist Party newspaper People's Daily said Xi Jinping's state visit to the United States marks a new starting point for bilateral relations, urging both sides to pursue a "path of coexistence" — expanding cooperation while managing competition and differences.

The paper made the call Saturday in a "Zhongsheng" commentary, a column that lays out China's positions on major international issues, saying the two countries must jointly implement agreements reached between their leaders and translate the vision of a "constructive strategic stable relationship" into concrete action.

The commentary came immediately after the summit between Xi and President Donald Trump, and was widely read as Beijing reiterating its message that the two sides must broaden cooperation while preventing strategic rivalry from escalating into open conflict.

People's Daily particularly highlighted a 16-character formulation Xi put forward during his US visit — "prioritize cooperation, temper competition, manage differences, expect peace" — framing it as the core guiding principle for the relationship going forward.

The phrase was interpreted as a call to keep strategic competition in check and prevent disagreements from spilling over into confrontation, even as rivalry between the two powers continues.

On economic and trade matters, the paper said the two sides should expand areas of cooperation and reduce friction.

"Before the China-US summit, the two countries' economic and trade delegations reached new joint agreements," People's Daily said, adding that the episode shows "the essence of China-US economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and that equal negotiations are the only correct choice when facing differences and friction."

On Taiwan, the paper reaffirmed Beijing's longstanding hard line. "Clearly defining principles and red lines is an important prerequisite for building a constructive strategic stable relationship," it said, calling Taiwan "the core of China's core interests and the foremost red line in China-US relations that must not be crossed."

It then urged Washington to "uphold the correct position of opposing Taiwan independence, handle the Taiwan issue prudently, and lay a solid foundation for strategic cooperation and the development of bilateral relations."

The paper also recommended that the two countries maintain dialogue on AI, exchange views on its risks and benefits, and work together to prevent the misuse and abuse of the technology.

"This year is an important year of development for both China and the United States, and China-US relations stand at a new historic starting point," People's Daily said. "The two countries must translate the agreements between their leaders into action and forge a path of proper coexistence for two great powers on this planet."


mokiya@heraldcorp.com