According to Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping conducted a state visit to the United States from 23 to 25 September (local time).
According to Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping conducted a state visit to the United States from 23 to 25 September (local time).
During the visit, the two heads of state engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on building a constructive strategic stable relationship between China and the United States, as well as on major international and regional issues. The two sides reached an eight-point consensus, providing directional guidance for the next phase of bilateral relations, and sent positive signals on issues including trade and economics, counter-narcotics, artificial intelligence, and maritime passage.
I. Building a Constructive Strategic Stable Relationship. Both sides agreed to build "a China-U.S. constructive strategic stable relationship based on respect, fairness, and reciprocity," establishing a foundational framework for the long-term stable development of bilateral relations.
II. Mutual Support for Hosting Major International Conferences. Both sides agreed to support each other in hosting the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and the G20 Leaders' Summit. The two heads of state expressed their intention to attend the conferences hosted by the other party, reflecting their shared willingness to coordinate on multilateral affairs.
III. Consensus Reached on Iran's Nuclear Programme and Freedom of Navigation on International Waterways. The two heads of state agreed that Iran must honour its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, and that no country or entity may levy transit fees on international waterways. This consensus carries direct significance for maintaining orderly passage through critical shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, and stands to reduce the risk of transit fee impositions faced by shipping companies.
IV. Reflecting on Their Shared History as World War II Allies. The two heads of state recalled that China and the United States fought as allies in World War II, achieving victory together, and emphasised the instructive value of that shared history for the current bilateral relationship.
V. Substantive Progress in Economic and Trade Consultations. The two heads of state affirmed the positive role of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism and endorsed the outcomes achieved by both sides' economic and trade teams - including the establishment and advancement of mechanisms such as the Trade Council, a US$30 billion reciprocal tariff reduction arrangement, and the extension of outcomes from the Kuala Lumpur economic and trade consultations �X and directed that these be implemented. The arrangement covers tariff adjustments on non-sensitive goods, and is expected to lower trade costs for certain commodities, providing support for cargo volumes on China-U.S. routes and the stability of supply chains.
VI. Visible Progress in Counter-Narcotics Law Enforcement Cooperation. Counter-narcotics law enforcement agencies from both countries have recently deepened collaboration, jointly cracking several cases involving novel psychoactive substances and precursor chemicals, and apprehending dozens of criminal suspects across both countries �X demonstrating tangible results from practical cooperation in the law enforcement domain.
VII. Establishing an Artificial Intelligence Dialogue Mechanism. Both sides agreed to establish a China-U.S. artificial intelligence dialogue to exchange views on the risks and benefits associated with artificial intelligence. The next dialogue is scheduled to take place in November this year. Both sides also agreed to establish a communication channel for AI incidents, providing an institutional safeguard for the management of technology-related risks.
VIII. Giant Pandas Arrive in the United States. The U.S. side welcomed the arrival of a pair of giant pandas on loan from China to Zoo Atlanta, reflecting the continued recovery of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Taken together, the eight-point consensus spans multiple domains, encompassing strategic relations, multilateral coordination, regional security, economic and trade cooperation, law enforcement collaboration, artificial intelligence, and people-to-people exchanges. Among these, the reciprocal tariff reduction arrangement and the consensus on international waterway transit fees carry direct reference value for global trade and shipping markets. Shippers, freight forwarders, and shipping companies are well advised to monitor closely how the specific implementation of these outcomes unfolds in the period ahead.
