[Source/Observer Network by Guan Xin]
The long-awaited talks between China and the United States have finally been confirmed, making this news the top priority in domestic and international public opinion. According to reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and the Ministry of Commerce website, Vice Premier He Lifeng will visit Switzerland from May 9th to 12th. During this period, as the lead negotiator for China in the China-US economic and trade talks, Vice Premier He Lifeng will hold talks with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
It is necessary to say that this is a positive signal. The global trade deadlock caused by America's unilateral initiation of a trade war has persisted for some time, with all parties suffering losses and harm, especially the United States itself. China is truly the main force against the trade war worldwide. Because China has withstood the brunt of Washington's attacks, some countries have been able to "remain unscathed"; because China has resisted Washington's nearly frenzied tariff assaults, it has forced senior US officials to repeatedly hint at adjustments to tariff measures and actively convey information through various channels to seek talks with China. "Fight to the end; negotiate with open doors," China's stance remains consistent. Only when the United States realizes that it cannot subdue China through trade coercion and bullying will it become more proactive in seeking talks.
This time, China has not lowered its principles or bottom line but uses this contact as an opportunity to observe whether the US side genuinely intends to correct its mistakes.
Please note the statement of our Ministry of Commerce spokesperson: The Chinese side has carefully evaluated the US information. After fully considering global expectations, Chinese interests, and calls from the US industry and consumers, China has decided to agree to engage in talks with the US side. It is "engagement" rather than negotiation; "engagement" means the pipeline is opened first, which is one level lower than negotiation. The choice of words is very deliberate, indicating that China needs to observe and confirm the intentions and sincerity of the US side, requiring "judging words and observing actions." In a sense, China approaches the US side with a mindset of scrutiny. Whether "engagement" transitions into "negotiation" or halts "engagement," the initiative lies in China's hands. This move by China is neither a compromise nor blind trust but a strategic response to the US side's proactive gesture. China has not lowered its principles or bottom line but uses this engagement as an opportunity to observe whether the US side genuinely intends to correct its mistakes.
Some netizens suspect, "Is this a smokescreen or delaying tactic from the US?" In fact, there is no need to worry excessively. If the US言行 are inconsistent and attempt to use engagement as a pretext to continue pressuring, China has already made it clear, "We will never sacrifice our principles or international fairness and justice to reach any agreement." Regardless of the outcome, this engagement will provide China with more information and accumulate experience for future negotiations. As we all know, the negotiating table is also an important battlefield. After the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan in 1945, to expose Chiang Kai-shek's conspiracy of "fake democracy and real civil war," Chairman Mao personally went to Chongqing to negotiate with Chiang Kai-shek. Although the negotiations failed to prevent the civil war, this action revealed the sincerity of the Chinese Communist Party in seeking peace to the whole nation and the world, exposed Chiang Kai-shek's true face, and won the moral high ground for subsequent struggles.
This Sino-US economic and trade engagement has similarities. Even if the US lacks sincerity in equal consultation, China can further reveal the true intentions of the US side through engagement. As the spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said, "China's determination to safeguard its own development interests will not change, nor will its position and goals to defend international fairness and justice and maintain international economic and trade order."
In those arduous years of the Korean War, both sides of the Sino-US military engaged in "fighting and talking, talking and fighting" on the battlefield, with negotiation complementing combat. The heroic performance of the Volunteer Army on the battlefield earned national prestige and military might, creating favorable conditions for negotiation. The current Sino-US economic and trade competition also requires the combination of strength on the battlefield and wisdom at the negotiating table.
Facing the US's extreme pressure tactics in the tariff war and trade war, the Chinese economy has shown unprecedented resilience and strength. Since 2018, China has withstood the pressure and steadily advanced high-quality development, achieving significant progress in independent scientific and technological innovation and continuously enhancing the stability of industrial chains and supply chains. These achievements prove that America's unilateralism does not work against China. Behind this engagement lies China's confidence in firmly following its own development path. No matter how the US acts, China can respond calmly and handle its own affairs well, laying a solid foundation for engagement and competition.
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