China and the United States have agreed in principle to establish a “constructive” relationship based on “strategic stability,” but analysts say they have not settled key details about what that relationship should look like in practice. Speaking at a forum in Beijing, Sun Yun, director of the China programme at the Stimson Centre, said President Xi Jinping’s possible US visit later this year would typically involve a set of agreed “deliverables.” However, she said she is not aware that both sides have reached consensus on what a deliverable package would contain.
Sun added that while leaders have aligned on the general goal of strategic stability, the two governments do not share a common interpretation of the term. She also pointed to differing priorities: Beijing tends to emphasize the “constructive” elements, including cooperation, while Washington places more emphasis on managing disputes. The discussions suggest that negotiations over definitions and priorities remain unresolved even as both countries publicly seek to reduce instability and maintain continuity in their relationship.
