Two presidents focused on restoring communication, expanding dialogue and managing risks, and they reached many points of agreement. But the United States is entering a contentious political campaign season, which is sure to include an increase in strident anti-China rhetoric.

The summit meeting between Presidents Biden and Xi Jinping south of San Francisco has provided new and important stability to the fluctuant and stressed U.S.-China relationship. In the absence of a joint agreed statement, both governments put forward their own interpretations of what was said and agreed in the discussions. These respective interpretations were, not surprisingly, in agreement concerning sensitive issues in the relationship. Nonetheless, a number of “deliverables” were announced.

The China-U.S. relationship is not going to rise from its low point anytime soon. An election year is approaching in America, and it will be fraught with anti-China rhetoric. With few opportunities for the leaders to meet and set a new course, the upcoming APEC leaders meeting in San Francisco will be pivotal.

If presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden can meet this month, getting China-U.S. ties back on the rails will get a much-needed boost on the order the their Bali meeting. The current international scene is chaotic, and China-U.S. relations are at a critical crossroads. The two sides must learn to co-exist and cooperate.

Click to watch the videoLadies and gentlemen, greetings from Beijing!My name is Nick Burns, I am the American Ambassador to the People's Republic of China. My t

It is a great pleasure to revisit Hong Kong virtually and join friends, old and new, online at the Hong Kong Forum on U.S.-China Relations to discuss the bilateral relationship and explore the path forward.

All eyes are on the upcoming leaders’ meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), to be held in San Francisco from November 11-17. And with good reason: there is a distinct possibility that US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet on the sidelines of this pan-regional gathering, exactly one year after their last summit in Bali on the eve of the annual G20 summit.

China’s Foreign Minister paid an official two-day visit to Washington last week, laying the groundwork for an anticipated meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping in November. The two sides had a “constructive” and detailed set of discussions on specific issues, but the most important outcome may be that a normal diplomatic interaction took place after a long hiatus and substantial acrimony in the bilateral relationship.

More than ever, China and the United States need to meet each other halfway. They need to find new cooperation points in a spirit of mutual benefit. Emerging from the deep freeze presents both an important test and a great opportunity.

In the wake of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to the U.S., windows of opportunity are opening. The constructive attitude on both sides is paying off as common ground is sought to anchor bilateral ties. This is a positive sign for the future.