by Francisco Jose Leandro
As a scholar of international relations, I have long argued that the true significance of diplomatic summits can be seen in the political signals embedded in official communiques or carefully choreographed ceremonies. President Xi Jinping's state visit to the United States should be understood through precisely this lens. Beyond the symbolism of state dinners, military honors and public displays of cordiality, the visit reflects deeper transformations in the structure of contemporary international relations.
The first and perhaps most visible signal is the growing recognition that relations between China and the United States have entered a new phase, with both sides agreeing to build a constructive relationship of strategic stability. The scale of the welcome extended to President Xi was not merely an exercise in diplomatic protocol. It conveyed a clear recognition that the stability of the international system increasingly depends on constructive engagement between the two countries. Whether one speaks of economic influence, technological innovation, geopolitical reach or normative leadership, both countries possess a level of agency that renders them indispensable actors in the management of global affairs.
A second and more substantive outcome lies in the emphasis placed on strategic stability. In my view, this constitutes the most important dimension of the visit. Strategic stability should not be interpreted as the absence of competition. Competition will remain a defining feature of China-U.S. relations for the foreseeable future. Rather, it signifies a mutual recognition that competition must be of a healthy sort governed by rules, communication mechanisms and a degree of strategic restraint. Great powers do not threaten international order because they compete; they threaten it when they cease to communicate.
Particularly encouraging is the growing attention devoted to emerging technologies and artificial intelligence governance. As technological breakthroughs increasingly shape both prosperity and security, the establishment of mechanisms capable of reducing misunderstandings and preventing unintended escalation represents a prudent and necessary step. China's recent efforts to promote international cooperation through the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization suggest that both national and multilateral approaches will be required to address challenges that no state can manage alone.
The visit also serves as an important prelude to the forthcoming G20 Summit. At a time when the international community faces simultaneous economic, technological, environmental and security challenges, effective leadership from major countries remains essential.
Naturally, profound differences remain. Yet the significance of this visit lies not in the expectation of immediate consensus, but in the willingness to sustain dialogue despite disagreement. That, in itself, is a valuable achievement in an increasingly fragmented world.
History teaches us that lasting peace is not achieved when states agree on everything. It is built when they learn how to disagree without abandoning cooperation. Strategic stability begins when dialogue becomes stronger than distrust.
Ultimately, what emerged from this visit was more than a diplomatic encounter between two heads of state. It reflected the gradual emergence of what may be called a new grammar of major-country relations, one that seeks to move beyond the binary logic of dominance and containment towards a more sophisticated balance between competition and cooperation.
In an increasingly interconnected world, where challenges such as technological disruption, energy security, geopolitical instability and climate change transcend national borders, neither China nor the United States can secure prosperity or stability in isolation. The true test of leadership in the 21st century will not be determined by which country prevails over the other, but by whether both possess the wisdom to transform competition into responsible stewardship of the international system.
If the spirit of this visit can be translated into sustained dialogue, strategic restraint and practical cooperation, it may mark the beginning of a more stable era in global affairs. After all, a new grammar of major-country relations is created when nations recognize that managing competition is not a sign of weakness, but the highest expression of strategic maturity. The future will belong not to those who can dominate the international system, but to those who can stabilize it.
Editor's note: The author is an associate professor at the University of Macau.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.
