Summary: Chinese President Xi Jinping described the China-US relationship as more than just a partnership, calling it ‘co-development’ during his summit with American President Donald Trump. In their formal meeting, Xi presented Trump with a stark choice between conflict and cooperation, stating, “You must decide whether to align with us or confront us.” The Chinese side interprets Trump’s visit as a marker of the inevitable decline of American dominance and China’s rise to global power.
“Conceal your capabilities and wait for the appropriate moment. China should neither seek leadership prematurely nor wave the flag in quest of dominance.” Forty years ago, Deng Xiaoping, leading an economically weak China with 700 million impoverished people, gave similar advice to his successors. Times have dramatically changed: China has now reached a stage where others recognize its power, civilization, and ideological superiority on the world stage. At least, the sentiments expressed by China’s top leader during this summit confirm this reality.
Upon becoming General Secretary of the Communist Party in 2012, Xi Jinping emphasized that “the great rejuvenation is the Chinese dream of the modern era.” Dr. Sun Yat-sen had earlier conceived this idea at the start of the 20th century, interpreting the restoration of China’s economic stability and dignity, following colonial devastation, as a form of rejuvenation. About a century later, Chiang Ching-kuo tried to turn this into a national objective, while current leader Xi Jinping has added the concept of the “Chinese Dream” to inspire national pride.
There is another aspect to this slogan: a transformation from China’s subjugation under the Opium Wars, British colonialism, and subsequent imperialist exploitation to a nation now claiming global leadership. The term “China Dream” was first used by former People’s Liberation Army Colonel Liu Mingfu in his 2010 book China Dream: Great Power Thinking and Strategic Posture in the Post-American Era. Liu’s core thesis was that China has a century-long aspiration for global leadership, not just economically but also militarily, aiming to surpass America.
At a time when Deng Xiaoping’s era marked an emphasis on effective, peaceful diplomacy, Liu’s propositions, though dismissed by many serious scholars, have resonated within Chinese society, influencing the Communist Party’s strategic, economic, and technical successes.
When tensions escalate and America fails to address China’s concerns, Xi warned Trump in the formal meeting, “We are ready to fight. The choice to cooperate or confront us is yours.” This challenge was witnessed by senior officials from both countries. Subsequently, Chinese diplomats and ambassadors embraced the “Wolf Warrior” style of diplomacy—a more assertive and sometimes aggressive approach, named after a popular Chinese film released in 2015, though the style was adopted soon after Liu’s book in 2010. This approach has occasionally been felt even in Nepal.
China appears to signal that the world is witnessing a disturbance likened to a “once-in-a-century upheaval” in the global balance of power, demanding dominant powers to make way. Such disruptions began after World War I when America replaced Britain as the world’s preeminent economic, cultural, military, and ideological force. China believes that once it assumes America’s position, this current cycle of upheaval will conclude. Trump’s visit reinforces the legitimacy of China’s claim.
Prior to this visit, the US seemed entrapped by a web of decisions. European NATO members and Canada expressed dissatisfaction with Trump’s policies; meanwhile, leaders from Canada, France, Germany, the UK, and Spain had visited China seeking trade benefits. Except for Japan, other countries improved ties with China, distancing themselves from previous American influence.
The wars in Iran tested American power. The shift of weapons and military presence from the Indo-Pacific to the Gulf favored China in the power balance. NATO members also declined Trump’s requests to open the Strait of Hormuz. America’s inability to control a weaker Iran exposed limitations. Simultaneously, Obama-era strategies focusing on China within the Indo-Pacific and imposed trade and technological restrictions have ultimately strengthened rather than weakened China, which has advanced towards technological parity with the US and experienced unprecedented economic and military development.
Chinese social media users nicknamed Trump the “China Dream Maker,” reflecting the belief that his policies facilitated China’s development and shifted global power balances. Other nicknames like “Comrade Trump” and “China’s patriotic son” were sarcastically used, highlighting China’s growing conviction that the primary world power is no longer America, but China.
Following Trump’s visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit is expected to reinforce this narrative. China’s goal seems to be establishing itself as the most powerful nation and validating its traditional belief in being the “center of the world”. (However, not everyone in China shares this view; dissent and alternative perspectives do exist.)
Xi openly stated: “It is more appropriate to describe China-US relations as co-development rather than merely a partnership. Both countries respect each other’s internal needs and aspire to cooperate where possible. They adjust relations in a timely manner to reduce conflict.” Henry Kissinger, a sharp and experienced diplomat involved in the early stages of China-US relations in the 1970s, wrote that “it would benefit China and the US to manage their internal pressures and pursue a path that diminishes conflict.” It may still take decades to see if the hopeful future of China-US relations becomes reality rather than wishful thinking.
Whether China can become the world’s leading power peacefully or whether conflict with the US is inevitable remains uncertain. However, Xi’s remarks during his first formal meeting with Trump last week carry deep meaning and hint at the unavoidable intentions of both powers. Despite recent tensions, economic dependence remains. Issues like restrictions on high-tech exports, the transfer of TikTok’s ownership, arrests of Chinese researchers and scientists, bans on Huawei, and other points of contention persist.
This week’s visit by President Donald Trump marks a historic turning point, symbolizing America’s active decline and China’s ascent atop global power rankings. Under pressure, America is also urging China to end joint space research. Tensions continue in the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific regions. China has been accused of supplying weapons to Iran and supporting Iranian oil and Venezuela. China accuses the US of escalating the conflict by arming Taiwan, with Taiwan Acts and Tibet Acts further heightening tensions.
If tensions remain and the US fails to address China’s concerns, Xi formally warned Trump, “We are ready to fight you. You must decide whether to align with us or confront us.” This challenge was delivered in front of senior officials from both countries. Xi also questioned, “Can China and America avoid the Thucydides Trap and reshape great power relations? The Taiwan issue is a critical matter; mishandling it could lead to major conflict. We believe America’s aspiration for greatness and China’s dream of great rejuvenation can coexist.”
The concept of the “Thucydides Trap” implies that conflict between a rising power and an established declining power is inevitable. Xi’s statement, “You must decide whether to cooperate or confront us,” is essentially a declaration of China’s victory and America’s defeat. It may take years for America and the world to accept this reality. The possibility exists for numerous proxy and regional conflicts that could escalate into larger wars. Nonetheless, there is hope that both nations will expand their influence peacefully.
In conclusion, history is not always accidental; events are often causally linked. Sometimes, unforeseen moments allow for de-escalation. Trump’s recent China visit has become a significant event marking the decline of the American empire and China’s rise to global supremacy. His visit arrangements and Xi’s declarations have turned this century-defining change into a cause for celebration. Though some skeptics find it difficult to accept, the peoples of both countries and the world have welcomed it enthusiastically. Our prior belief that “such events are rare” has now been proven wrong.
