In Washington, Xi and Trump add respect to the principles of their bilateral relationship.
Following their meeting in Washington from September 23 to 25, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping enshrined « respect » among the principles of their bilateral relationship, already presented as being based on strategic stability, fairness, and reciprocity. According to the Singaporean daily The Straits Times , this formulation responds to a diplomatic demand made by the Chinese president for over a decade.
A formula that has been sought after since 2013
The principle of « respect » complements the agreement announced in May in Beijing by the two leaders, who at the time spoke of a constructive relationship of strategic stability between their countries. The White House confirmed in its account of the state visit that both sides intended to build this relationship on respect, fairness, and reciprocity. ( whitehouse.gov )
Xi Jinping has been advocating a « new model of great power relations » with the United States since 2013. This approach was based in particular on non-confrontation, mutual respect, and cooperation presented as beneficial to both countries, reports The Straits Times .
The Obama administration did not adopt this expression. According to the Singaporean daily, Washington feared that a commitment to mutual respect could be interpreted as an obligation to take into account interests that Beijing considers fundamental.
Taiwan at the heart of American reserves
The Taiwan issue was a major focus of this American caution, The Straits Times points out, particularly because of US support for the island. The adoption of the term « respect » therefore marks a change in the official formulation of relations between Washington and Beijing, but is not, in itself, sufficient to establish a shift in American policy on this matter.
The newspaper presents this development as a symbolic victory for Xi, who had long sought recognition of this formulation. The question of its concrete impact remains open: the available information establishes the inclusion of the principle within the framework announced by the two countries, but does not allow for the conclusion that there has been a change in their strategic balance.
Source: Courrier international – News from France and around the world, videos, infographics (www.courrierinternational.com)
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