US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting in Beijing in mid-May, according to a commentary published by Kyodo News. The event took place as Beijing prioritizes maintaining stability in bilateral relations before Xi formally begins his fourth term as leader of the Communist Party and head of state in autumn 2027.
The commentary noted that China hopes to hold a summit as early as possible to solidify a foundation for dialogue. Sources indicate Beijing may delay major actions in relations with the United States until after 2027, to avoid unnecessary turmoil during its internal leadership transition.
Meanwhile, a knife attack at a restaurant in Shanghai on May 19 injured three people, including two Japanese nationals. The incident was reported on the same day as the summit meeting, raising security concerns amid rising regional tensions.
Analysts suggest that China's cautious steps in US-China relations reflect Xi's long-term strategy to ensure stability before he continues his tenure. The early summit is seen as an effort to establish a cooperative framework and reduce the risk of conflict in the coming years.
