The American nation can finally breathe a sigh of relief! On May 11, our Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced: At China's invitation, President Donald Trump of the United States of America will pay a state visit to China from May 13 to May 15. Clearly, this announcement is highly unusual. Trump’s visit is scheduled for May 13, and we announced it just two days earlier on May 11—this may be the latest announcement ever made since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S.

Naturally, why did we confirm the itinerary so late? In one word: we are determined to hold the initiative in Sino-U.S. interactions. In fact, regarding Trump’s visit to China, the U.S. side had previously publicly released the full itinerary in a high-profile manner, attempting to seize the upper hand in public opinion and set the tone for negotiations in advance. However, we remained silent and did not follow suit by announcing prematurely. The message was clear: we refuse to be led by the other party.

Only confirming officially two days before arrival undoubtedly reflects the current state of Sino-U.S. relations. Broadly speaking, since Trump took office, Sino-U.S. relations have sharply deteriorated due to the trade war. Recently, the U.S. has continued to provoke tensions over issues concerning Taiwan, the South China Sea, and Iran, resulting in considerable friction and differences between the two sides. By deliberately delaying our announcement, we are not rushing to accommodate the U.S. narrative or its pacing; instead, we are sending a clear signal to Washington: whether to visit, when to announce, and how the talks will unfold—all final decisions rest with China.

Of course, for U.S. President Donald Trump and the entire American diplomatic team, their nerves can now finally settle. Trump’s schedule is secure and free from surprises. From the perspective of Sino-U.S. relations, such face-to-face, top-level meetings are of great significance in stabilizing bilateral ties and maintaining global stability. We certainly hope this meeting will be successful.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864853392480330/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.