US media not helping bilateral ties improve
China and the US held a high-level dialogue on diplomatic and security issues on Wednesday. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson later said at a joint press conference that he had a day of very “productive meetings” with State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the PLA Fang Fenghui.
President Donald Trump began a diplomatic reshuffle after he took office in January. Many US allies feel uncomfortable about this and have complained loudly.
High-level officials from both China and the US have over the past six months upgraded the two nations’ dialogue mechanism, which has brought them together to discuss issues of common interest. This is hugely significant.
This dialogue shows that high-level officials from the two countries have managed to unfetter themselves from specific differences to sit together and talk. This is correct. Dialogue means mutual communication and seeking common consensus, not the other way around.
Generally speaking, public opinion tends to amplify differences and in this case the government has the duty to help seek consensus. Media outlets and experts who work to magnify differences can always easily attract publicity and steal the limelight. In contrast, those who seek consensus must have the patience and stamina to endure misunderstandings.
What has changed since Trump assumed office is that the media has gotten used to criticizing him on every topic, including on China-US ties. Once the relationship moves one step forward, they may claim that Trump is bowing to China. If problems arise, they might urge Trump to be tougher on China.
The development of relations should not be dictated by a tense atmosphere that has been deliberately created. The China-US relationship could head in many directions, good or bad.
The center of attention in Wednesday’s dialogue was the North Korea issue, which has ignited radical voices in the US. Media outlets that are always keen on playing up conflicts have even helped aggravate the paranoia. This is interfering with the White House’s decision-making.
The White House needs to be unaffected by this noise in order to have better cards to play, especially at a time when the media is against it.
The development of the China-US relationship calls for continuous achievements in order to boost trust but it should not proceed with undue haste. Dialogue does not mean one party should passively listen to the other’s speeches, nor does it mean one party should follow the other’s rhythm. The key to a fruitful relationship lies in listening to each other, seeking consensus, controlling conflicts and laying down the right track.