The US-China relationship has stabilised but on Beijing’s terms

Last week, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting featuring formal choreography, including a B-2 flyover accompanied by four F-22 Raptors and a South Lawn drill. Despite the solemnity of these displays, the actual business conducted during the summit was narrower in scope than the surrounding pageantry.

Following the talks, the Chinese readout reiterated a specific conceptual framework intended to guide the future framing of the bilateral relationship. According to analysis of the event, the diplomatic engagement resulted in a stabilisation of ties between the two superpowers, though this stability has been established primarily on Beijing's terms.