The U.S. business leaders accompanying President Donald Trump on his state visit to China reinforced the significance of the commercial relationship between the world's two largest economies, Scott Kennedy, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Thursday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday met with the U.S. entrepreneurs joining Trump's visit.
The U.S. entrepreneurs said that they attach great importance to the Chinese market, and hope to deepen their business operations in China and strengthen cooperation with the country.
Noting that China's door will only open wider, Xi expressed the belief that U.S. companies will enjoy even broader prospects in China.
"The U.S. and China have a very large commercial relationship -- that goes without saying -- across the board, in many different industries, right? And I think the presence of this delegation reinforces that significance. It doesn't mean that they are happy and approve of everything that both sides are doing, but it suggests how critical this bilateral relationship is as well for these companies, global businesses. And I think it also is an encouragement of both sides that where there are significant disagreements around issues of fairness and economic security, I think these companies want solutions. They want more than fragile stability. They want predictability of their businesses in China and their businesses globally. And they might have some suggestions about how to achieve greater fairness and greater security while continuing to have a commercial relationship," said Scott Kennedy, senior adviser and trustee chair in Chinese Business and Economics at the CSIS.
When holding talks with Trump in Beijing on Thursday, Xi said that safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the biggest common denominator between China and the United States.
Noting that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations, Xi told Trump that if it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability.
Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy, Xi said.
"When I was in China recently and on previous trips, and when Chinese officials come to the United States, the question of Taiwan comes up quite frequently. And I think Americans recognize how significant this is from Beijing's perspective. I think the U.S. official policy, and in talking to American officials, the number one goal is to maintain peace, avoid open conflict because of the destruction that it would cause in the region and globally. I think we also need to avoid miscalculation and some kind of accident, which would be devastating for everybody," said Kennedy.
Trump left Beijing on Friday afternoon, concluding his three-day state visit to China.
US business leaders reinforce significance of China ties: CSIS adviser
