Recent developments warrant a senior China-U.S. dialogue regarding Afghanistan, beginning with the upcoming meeting between the Chinese and U.S. presidents in Seoul.

During the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Sept. 18-19 at the Beijing International Convention Center, Da Wei, Director of the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS) and Professor of International Relations at Tsinghua University, was interviewed by China-US Focus Beijing editor Huang Zhijin. Da Wei believes that in the short term, China-U.S. relations will remain focused on maintaining stability; and as domestic political imperatives and broader global strategic considerations increasingly dominate the policy agenda, the Indo-Pacific strategy under Trump 2.0 appears to be losing substance.

Given the fact that most disruptions in the bilateral relationship originate in Washington, it is essential that the Trump administration apply the consensus reached during the call to its future actions.

Talks are underway for a U.S.-China summit this spring, with the choice of venue crucial to balancing Trump’s unpredictability and Xi’s preference for control. Hawaii and Hainan stand out as potential neutral sites, offering luxury, security, and a level playing field for both leaders.

Despite their differences, both China and the United States benefit from constructive connections and suffer from continued antagonism. The next few years will determine whether relations will develop into a new cold war or move toward a more equitable form of coexistence.

The path to ending the trade war remains far from clear.

Xi and Trump’s productive G20 meeting shows a path forward to resume negotiations and resolve the trade war. However, deep divides remain: America’s hawkish moves and focus on competition may serve as major stumbling blocks for a new round of talks.

President Trump and President Xi Jinping of China agreed on Saturday to resume trade talks after a seven-week breakdown, averting for now an escalation of their multibillion-dollar tariff war that has roiled global markets and threatened the future of the world’s two largest economies.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said he hoped for productive talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on a trade war that is casting a shadow on global growth, but said he had not made any promises about a reprieve from escalating tariffs.

Trump and Xi are set to meet in Japan, but can they resolve their disputes?