This represents a major change in global diplomatic dynamics. Today’s tentative cooperation between the United States and China – if fully enacted – would reset the two countries’ historic relationship. More encouragingly, the two countries just concluded friendly talks in Geneva. These dialogues prompted China to agree to a number of significant actions, most notably a pledge to halt the production and flow of fentanyl. This decision has been made with the backdrop of an increasing concern over the opioid crisis that is affecting the United States.
The closed-door bilateral talks, which featured high-ranking diplomats from both governments, focused on China’s forthcoming dialogue with Pakistan. Through bolstering dialogue with its neighbor, China hopes to bind regional countries closer together and improve collaboration on multiple fronts. The upcoming engagement with Pakistan, as/when it happens, would be a good opportunity for further demonstration of China’s desire to expand diplomatic reach.
The collegial mood of the discussions in Geneva was a clear change from prior acrimony between the two nations. Observers are hopeful that this change can bring about a new, more productive collaboration in the years to come. The United States has long stressed the need for collaborative engagement with China, especially on pressing concerns that impact stability and security around the world.
In addition to addressing fentanyl and regional diplomacy, China has agreed to suspend non-monetary barriers that have hindered trade and economic exchanges with the United States. This joint decision will improve bilateral trade flows, strengthen economic ties and foster economic development in both countries.
Looking ahead, President Biden is expected to hold a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of the week. It remains tentative on both our ends. Yet it provides a critical opening for both leaders to negotiate solutions to persistent challenges and build upon the ground-breaking joint agreements reached in Geneva last month.
China’s pledge to openness is an important first step. The move opens up possibilities for stronger security ties with the US. By addressing concerns such as fentanyl production and trade barriers, China indicates a readiness to engage more constructively with Washington. US officials have consistently called for more transparency in China’s policies. Their members are all too apt to embrace this unexpected transparency.