Xi Jinping and Obama's 'Stroll Diplomacy'

The unofficial meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Obama at the Sunnylands Estate in California received international attention.

The leaders of both superpowers carried out “stroll diplomacy” in a relaxed, harmonious atmosphere at the Sunnylands Estate, which offered beautiful scenery. It was not just a first; at the same time, it also showed the world the U.S. and China’s shared outlook and determination to structure a new type of relationship between dominant powers. The leaders of both countries think that under this new international state of affairs and opportunities, the U.S. and China can walk down a new path, different from that of historical “clashes and confrontations between dominant powers,” and push for the structuring of a new relationship together.

While meeting with Obama, Xi stated that both China and the U.S. should examine their relationship in-depth and push to build a new relationship together, also saying that the Pacific was big enough to accommodate both dominant powers. Xi also reiterated that China would stick to its path of peaceful development and strive to realize the Chinese dream. The Chinese dream is national rejuvenation, improvement of the people’s livelihoods, prosperity and happiness; it is interlinked with the American dream. Obama affirmed and agreed with this view; he thinks that the peaceful rise of China is in sync with U.S. interests and that both countries can face future challenges together as equal partners. He also stressed the importance of intermilitary communication.

After Xi assumed office just three months ago, he accepted Obama’s invitation and visited the U.S. This is also a face-to-face exchange between the most senior levels of both countries’ governments after the last term of government ended, making the visit very symbolic. What is really attention-grabbing is that the leaders of both countries chose to have close contact in a relaxed atmosphere and to carry out “stroll diplomacy” on the estate. This was also a first in U.S.-Chinese diplomatic history. Besides highlighting the importance of the relationship between the two countries, this has also apparently hinted to the world that U.S.-China relations are about to be taken to the next level. In this aspect, it has at least allowed us to see that the U.S. and China are increasing mutual trust and respect; there also exists a certain amount of tact in win-win cooperation where they have reached a consensus.

As we all know, a few political incidents that more or less directly or indirectly involved the U.S. and China happened in Northeast Asia in the past few months. First was the sovereignty issue over the Diaoyu Islands between China and Japan; especially after new Japanese Prime Minister Abe took office, Japan has frequently raised the issue, causing the probability of a confrontation between China and Japan to increase greatly. Although this issue seems to be between China and Japan, the fact that the U.S. has “implications” that she cannot tear herself away from behind this issue is an international “open secret.”

Secondly, the threats of war made by North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, toward the U.S. and South Korea has also increased the possibility of a war between the two Koreas. The U.S. and South Korea have carried out military drills, causing the situation in Northeast Asia to be even more tense. China, on the other hand, plays an important role in the relationship between the two Koreas.

Right now, as the U.S. and China hold talks against the backdrop of the situation in Northeast Asia, this will undoubtedly attract the attention of Japan, South Korea, North Korea and all other parts of the world. Whether or not the leaders of the two countries reached a consensus on the Diaoyu Islands issue is causing the aforementioned countries to expend a lot of their thinking power. No matter what, a situation in which the U.S. and China can increase mutual trust, cooperate and push for win-win cooperation on political, economic, and diplomatic issues will definitely have an important and positive effect on maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Xi and Obama‘s “stroll diplomacy” might be praised for this!