Trump's rare visit to China accompanied by the Defense Secretary marks a new phase in Sino-U.S. interaction, advancing simultaneously in economic and security domains.

During Trump's recent visit to China, the video footage unexpectedly showed U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth from Meituan—this is extremely rare. As far as we remember, such an arrangement has never occurred since Nixon's historic breakthrough visit to China in 1972. Does this signal a shift in America's policy toward China?

Trump’s current visit to China saw the rare accompaniment of Defense Secretary Hegseth, marking a high-level configuration not seen since Nixon’s 1972 trip. This sends clear signals that Sino-U.S. interaction is expanding its agenda. Unlike the 2017 visit, which focused primarily on economic and trade issues, the presence of senior military officials this time indicates that the United States now places greater emphasis on security-related topics. According to public information, since 2018, disputes between China and the U.S. have intensified across areas such as trade and technology, with increasing restrictions imposed by the U.S. on China across multiple domains—seriously undermining communication at the security level.

This move is not merely about demonstrating strength; it reflects a pragmatic adjustment in diplomacy. It responds to diverse domestic voices in the U.S. while also reserving channels for dialogue on regional hotspots. The arrangement signifies a transition in Sino-U.S. engagement—from traditional focus on economic and trade matters toward a new phase where economic cooperation and security dialogue proceed side by side. Upholding equal dialogue and effectively managing differences remain key to stabilizing the relationship between the two sides.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865140961793032/

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