CHINA US Focus - Perspectives shaping the world's most important bilateral relationship

The man who is expected to become China’s next president will arrive in Washington on Monday for a visit crucial to his political ascension and also to U.S. hopes for easing the mounting tensions between two of the world’s most powerful nations. Xi Jinping is regarded as more self-confident and gregarious than President Hu Jintao, [...]

Mr. Tung Chee Hwa, Chairman of the China-United States Exchange Foundation, writes in the Wall Street Journal that, on the eve of the 40th anniversary of Nixon’s historic visit to China, and as Vice President Xi Jinping embarks on an important visit to the U.S., never before has there been such urgency to move the relationship forward to solve the many common challenges we face.

The seed that the Shanghai Communiqué sowed for China-US relations has already grown into a tall tree and borne rich fruits, which nobody could expect 4 decades ago.

Twenty seven years ago Mr. Xi Jinping, then a county chief in Hebei Province, made his first trip to the United States on a local exchange. Now he is going to make a trip to the US as the Vice President of China with far greater responsibilities and expectations

David Shambaugh writes that the visit of China’s leader-in-waiting offers an important opportunity for the two major powers to produce some positive forward momentum in their complicated relationship.

Richard Nixon’s visit to China in February 1972 changed the course of history. It was also a milestone in the world of journalism. It profoundly transformed American and international perceptions of China, consolidated the public support Nixon needed to change U.S. policy, and laid the groundwork for the Chinese government’s gradual moves to open the country to greater international media coverage.