04 Oct 2026

High-level China-U.S. engagement has created conditions for managing differences and promoting cooperation, helping foster a more stable international environment for world peace, said a former African Union (AU) official.

"The significance of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States has gone far beyond bilateral relations themselves," said Erastus Mwencha, former deputy chairperson of the AU Commission, in a written interview with Xinhua.

From last year's meeting in Busan, South Korea, to U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit to Beijing in May this year, and now with Xi's visit to the United States, these exchanges by the two leaders have sent an important signal -- in the face of differences, the two countries still seek to manage them through dialogue, he said.

"Dialogue is becoming a tool for strategic risk management," he said, adding that maintaining direct communication between the two leaders can help enhance mutual understanding and provide channels for handling sensitive issues and preventing miscalculation.

As major countries, a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability based on respect, fairness and reciprocity has far-reaching impacts across trade, investment, finance, technology and supply chains, he noted.

Responsibly managing differences and maintaining communication will not only benefit both countries, but also help reduce uncertainty in the global economy and international security, he said.

But managing differences is not the end, Mwencha said, adding that a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability can further serve as a driving force for international cooperation, creating more space for development in the Global South, including Africa.

Maintaining stability in China-U.S. relations can also help reduce the external uncertainty faced by developing countries, make the international trade and investment environment more predictable, and create more favorable conditions for cooperation in infrastructure, energy and health, he said.

Mwencha highlighted emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), noting that the two sides have agreed to establish a dialogue on AI to exchange views on its risks and benefits.