The governments of China and the United States agree on the need for more stable relations, increasingly vital for both nations. The first signal in the new course comes from Chinese Wen Jiabao who is planning to use a meeting with US President Barack Obama later this month to make an offer to increase "vigorously" imports from the United States, in an effort to aid economic recovery and ward off US protectionism, diplomats say.
A second signal was yesterday's meeting in Beijing between Chinese President Hu Jintao and two senior White House officials, National Economic Council Director Larry Summers and Deputy National Security Adviser Tom Donilon.
For its part, China has expressed concern for US military operations off its coast. In recent months, the US Navy has carried out a number of joint military exercises with South Korea. China has responded to the US show of force by deploying its navy.
The Yellow Sea is another major issue as four Asian nations claim a piece of that body of water. For Washington, it is also an important card to use in its negotiations with Beijing on economic matters.
Some resolution in that area seems to have come anyway. The two countries have in fact agreed to resume military exchanges, indicating improving Sino-US ties after months of tension. Military exchanges had been put on ice eight months ago when the US Congress approved arms sale to Taiwan, and Obama hosted the Dalai Lama at the White House.
The issue is expected to be on the discussion table during a state visit to the US by President Hu Jintao in January next year. Originally scheduled for this fall, the visit was postponed indefinitely to show Beijing's displeasure, something it does whenever it cannot get its way. (Source: Spero News, Sep 9, 2010).