China and the U.S. are expected to develop a general strategic direction for the future development of the two nation’s bilateral ties during Donald Trump’s first state visit to China, experts said, noting that the visit is “unprecedented with great significance.”

“Trump’s visit comes after China successfully concluded its 19th CPC National Congress, a historic event that could reshape the purpose and guidance of China’s diplomacy. The two nations are expected to find their mutual interests, and push bilateral ties forward for the long run,” Su Ge, president of the China Institute of International Studies, told Chinanews.com.

According to Su, China has entered the center of the international arena in the past few years, proposing great suggestions, including the Belt and Road Initiative. China’s growing influence has worried many Americans, which has traditionally led in making international proposals.

“China and the U.S. should focus on bilateral cooperation, as well as controlling their differences. Divergence and contradiction are inevitable, but both sides should abandon Cold War mentality, as cooperation is the only choice for them,” Su added.

State Visit Plus

During Trump’s visit, China will give him a “state visit plus” reception, a special arrangement that shows China’s seriousness to the event.

“Such an arrangement is rare. It shows the importance of Sino-US relations, as well as demonstrating the friendship and working relations between Trump and Chinese President Xi. The two leaders have met each other twice, making 8 phone calls in 2017, and the bilateral ties are deepening thanks to such efforts,” Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, told Chinanews.com.

According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, besides the whole set of activities for the state visit, the Chinese side will also arrange some small-group and informal interactions between the two heads of state to give them enough time to have an in-depth exchange of views on major issues of common interest.

Experts noted that such an arrangement can help Trump to better understand China’s social, political, and economic development after the 19th CPC National Congress, keeping U.S. foreign policy toward China updated and making the mutual relations more constructive.

Korean Peninsula crisis and the trade balance

As for the tension on the Korean Peninsula, the experts noted that Trump already understands the gist of China’s stance and proposals, but the mainstream of U.S. society still holds a delusion that China is the key to solving the problem.

“Many experts in the U.S. have been considering China’s proposal of double suspension and dual track approach, which have not yet been accepted by the mainstream of U.S. society. The North Korean crisis is a complicated issue, and Trump’s state visit is expected to narrow the two nations’ difference regarding the crisis, as well as making more constructive suggestions,” said Wu Xinbo.

The trade imbalance is another obstacle that hinders the two nations relations, noted the experts, who believe that the problem should be solved by both sides. For China, the country may need to promote the openness of its market, while the U.S. side should deal with such issues as promoting the export of high-tech products to China.

“China and the U.S. are tied by mutual interests. If the U.S. wants to gain some benefits from China, it should prepare some gifts in return,” Wu added.