From November 14 to 17, 2023, at the invitation of President of the United States Joe Biden, President Xi Jinping held a China-U.S. summit meeting in San Francisco of the United States and attended upon invitation the 30th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. As the agenda was wrapped up, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi briefed accompanying journalists on the visit.

Wang Yi said that the world is currently undergoing changes unseen in a century, and humanity is at a crucial turning point in history. The people of the two countries show great care for and the international community closely follows where China-U.S. relations will be heading. This year marks the 30th gathering of APEC leaders, and all parties are thinking deeply about where Asia-Pacific cooperation will be heading in the next 30 years. At such an important juncture, President Xi Jinping flew across the Pacific Ocean to start his journey in San Francisco. President Xi Jinping held a meeting with President Joe Biden to discuss the right way forward for China and the United States to get along with each other. President Xi had interactions and exchanges with all walks of life in the United States to pool consensus for friendly cooperation between the two countries. He attended the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to chart the course for Asia-Pacific cooperation. International commentary described that the visit has been world-recognized, yielded fruitful outcomes, and been of far-reaching implications, increasing stability in China-U.S. relations, bringing new impetus to Asia-Pacific cooperation, and injecting positive energy into international and regional landscapes, and showing President Xi Jinping's leadership as a farsighted head of a major country with a global vision.

I. Charting the course for China-U.S. relations in the new era

Wang Yi said that since the beginning of this year, China-U.S. relations have undergone some twists and turns and been faced with difficulties due to some widely known reasons, which is not in alignment with the interests and aspirations of the people of the two countries. Through concerted efforts of the two sides, China-U.S. relations have recently shown the sign of stopping falling and becoming stabilized. When holding the APEC meeting, President Joe Biden sent a special invitation to President Xi Jinping to hold a summit. The U.S. emphasized that this is a China-U.S. summit, different from arrangements of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the APEC meeting. All walks of life in the United States and the international community have full expectations of the summit, with the prevailing hope that the two countries will earnestly return to what was agreed at the Bali summit and embark on the journey to San Francisco. President Xi Jinping, with his keen grasp of the trend of the times, went to the United States upon invitation to promote once again the stability and improvement of China-U.S. relations at the historical juncture.

This is President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States after six years, and the other face-to-face summit between the two heads of state since their meeting in Bali last November. President Joe Biden selected with consideration the Filoli Estate as the venue of the summit. Besides formal talks, President Joe Biden also hosted a luncheon for President Xi Jinping, and invited President Xi Jinping to take a walk at the Filoli Estate. The summit lasted for 4 hours. In a candid atmosphere of mutual respect, the two heads of state had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on strategic and overarching issues critical to the direction of China-U.S. relations and on major issues affecting world peace and development.

President Xi Jinping pointed out profoundly that for China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option. It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other. And conflict and confrontation has unbearable consequences for both sides. For China and the United States, whether to enhance solidarity and cooperation or to provoke rivalry and confrontation will decide the future of humanity and Planet Earth. The United States must carefully think about the fundamental question of whether China and the United States are partners or rivals, and make the right historical choice. President Xi Jinping pointed out that through the summit in San Francisco, the two sides should assume a new vision. First, jointly developing a right perception. China hopes that the two countries could be partners that respect each other and coexist in peace. Second, jointly managing disagreements effectively. It is important that the two sides appreciate each other's principles and red lines, and refrain from flip-flopping, being provocative, and crossing the lines. They should have more communications, more dialogues and more consultations, and calmly handle their differences as well as accidents. Third, jointly advancing mutually beneficial cooperation. It is important to fully utilize the restored and new mechanisms in foreign policy, economy, finance, commerce, agriculture and other fields, and carry out cooperation in such areas as counternarcotics, judicial and law enforcement affairs, artificial intelligence, and science and technology. Fourth, jointly shouldering responsibilities as major countries. China and the United States should step up coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues, and provide more public goods for the world. The two sides should coordinate and connect their initiatives. Fifth, jointly promoting people-to-people exchanges. The two sides should encourage and support greater interactions and communication between their people. The five points constitute the five pillars of China-U.S. relations and open up a future-oriented San Francisco vision.

President Xi Jinping also mainly elaborated on China's serious position on the Taiwan question and issues of science and technology, and economy and trade, and emphasized that the U.S. side should take real actions to honor its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence", stop arming Taiwan, and support China's peaceful reunification. President Xi Jinping firmly pointed out that stifling China's technological progress is nothing but a move to deprive the Chinese people of their right to development. China will not tolerate that, and hopes that the U.S. side take China's concerns seriously and lift its unilateral sanctions so as to provide a fair and nondiscriminatory environment for Chinese businesses.

President Joe Biden reaffirmed the five commitments he made in Bali, i.e., the United States does not seek a new Cold War, does not seek to change China's system, does not seek to revitalize its alliances against China, does not support "Taiwan independence", and has no intention to have a conflict with China. President Joe Biden said that conflict between the United States and China is not inevitable. A stable and growing China is good for the United States and the whole world. The United States is glad to see prosperity in China. It does not seek to contain or suppress China's development or to decouple with China.

Through concerted efforts of the two sides, more than 20 important outcomes were yielded at the summit, including the establishment of inter-governmental dialogue on artificial intelligence in response to the expectations of the international community, the establishment of a working group on counternarcotics cooperation between China and the United States on the premise of removing sanctions against China's relevant agencies, the resumption of high-level communication and institutional dialogue between the two militaries on the basis of equality and respect, the agreement to increase much more direct flights earlier next year, the expansion of exchanges in education, culture, sports and business communities and among overseas students and the youths, the welcome to operationalize the Working Group on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s between China and the United States, and the joint promotion of the success of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai. In particular, the two heads of state recognized the efforts made by and the consensus reached between the teams of the two countries to discuss the guiding principles of China-U.S. relations since the Bali summit, and emphasized that the two sides should respect each other, coexist in peace, maintain communication, prevent conflicts, abide by the United Nations Charter, carry out cooperation in fields involving common interests, and manage and control competitive factors in bilateral relations in a responsible manner, providing guidance for promoting China-U.S. relations back onto the right track.

The international public closely followed and spoke highly of the summit, and widely believed that the face-to-face communication between the heads of state is of paramount importance and has an irreplaceable role in stabilizing China-U.S. relations. This summit has demonstrated the two sides' positive will, yielded important outcomes, and was of extraordinary significance. It has played a key role in guiding China-U.S. relations undergoing ups and downs. President Joe Biden also said in his five subsequent Twitter posts that it is the most positive summit with the most important outcomes.

Wang Yi said that the China-U.S. summit meeting in San Francisco stands as a major event in the history of China-U.S. relations and international relations, and is conducive to advancing China-U.S. relations in the direction of sound, stable and sustainable development. President Xi Jinping has guided the giant ship of China-U.S. relations from Bali to San Francisco by navigating hidden rocks and dangerous shoals, which demonstrated his political mission and strategic charisma as the leader of a major country. Meanwhile, the two sides should be soberly aware that China-U.S. relations have never been smooth sailing. There are still many deep-seated and structural problems, and many risks and challenges that need to be addressed jointly. San Francisco should not be the finish line but a new starting point. The key to consolidating the sound momentum of China-U.S. relations is that the United States should honor its promise, meet China halfway, and take real actions to act upon the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state. Next year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. The two sides should build on the achievements made at the summit in San Francisco to promote the continuous improvement and development of China-U.S. relations, which is in alignment with the interests and wishes of the people of the two countries and the expectations of the world.

II. Galvanizing our peoples into a strong force

Wang Yi said, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech to the American people in Seattle in 2015, which brought the hearts of the two peoples closer with plain words and vivid stories. The warm scene at that time is still vivid in his mind. In recent years, the political atmosphere of China-U.S. relations has undergone complex changes, and the COVID-19 pandemic has also hindered normal exchanges between the two peoples. Since the beginning of this year, new and old American political figures, business leaders, and people from civil society have visited China in succession. President Xi Jinping has met with or sent letters to friendly individuals from the United States on multiple occasions and actively interacted with them. When President Xi Jinping recently met with Governor of the State of California Gavin Newsom, he pointed out that the hope of the China-U.S. relationship lies in the people, its foundation is in the two societies, its future depends on the youth, and its vitality comes from exchanges at subnational levels. These four sentences are profound and enlightening, expressing the common aspirations of people from all walks of life in the two countries.

During the visit, President Xi Jinping, upon invitation, attended the welcome dinner jointly hosted by friendly organizations in the United States. Heads from all walks of life in the United States and important business leaders were present. The old owner of the house where President Xi Jinping stayed during his first visit to the United States, other friends from Iowa who have extended their friendship for 40 years, a 103-year-old veteran member of the Flying Tigers, descendants of General Joseph W. Stilwell, and representatives of friendly people from Kuliang and Washington State, among others, also came to San Francisco for the meeting. President Xi Jinping had a cordial meeting with them, recalling the past and expressing gratitude for their commitment to the original aspiration of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. The scene was very warm and touching.

President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, mentioning the word "people" more than 60 times. He stressed that the foundation of China-U.S. relations was laid by the two peoples; the door of China-U.S. relations was opened by the two peoples; the stories of China-U.S. relations are written by the two peoples; the future of China-U.S. relations will be created by the two peoples. Although the two countries are different in history, culture and social system and have embarked on different development paths, the two peoples are both kind, friendly, hardworking and down-to-earth. It is the reaching out to each other by the two peoples that has time and again brought China-U.S. relations from a low ebb back onto the right track. Once opened, the door of China-U.S. relations cannot be shut again. The more difficulties there are, the greater the need for the two countries to forge a closer bond between the two peoples and to open their hearts to each other, and more people need to speak up for the relationship. President Xi Jinping's sincere words and vivid stories deeply touched the audience and aroused strong resonance. More than 400 guests stood up twice and responded with nearly 20 prolonged and warm applause. They all said that the United States and China are interdependent. The profound friendship between the two peoples is the source of vitality for the long-term and steady growth of U.S.-China relations. As two important major countries in the world, maintaining dialogue and cooperation between the United States and China is crucial for both countries and the world. They expressed that they will continue their commitment to promoting mutual understanding between the two peoples and contributing to the improvement and development of U.S.-China relations.

Wang Yi said, "From Seattle to San Francisco, after 8 years, President Xi Jinping once again had cordial interactions with friendly people from all walks of life in the United States, which made us deeply feel that the foundation of China-U.S. friendship is still there, the motivation for exchanges remains, and the prospect for cooperation is promising." No matter how the global landscape evolves, the ultimate wish of the two peoples for exchanges and cooperation will not change. The bright future of China-U.S. relations will depend on the people. President Xi Jinping's important speech will surely inspire the people of both countries to participate more actively in the cause of China-U.S. friendship and accumulate more positive energy for the stable and sound development of China-U.S. relations. This visit also reflects that valuing goodwill and friendship is a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation and a warm defining feature of China's diplomacy. President Xi Jinping not only focuses on enhancing his friendship with leaders, but also makes friends from all walks of life, giving major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics a style of friendship, justice, sincerity, affinity and harmony.

III. Carrying forward the original aspiration of Asia-Pacific cooperation

Wang Yi said, APEC is the highest-level, broadest and most influential economic cooperation platform in the Asia-Pacific region. Thirty years ago, the APEC Leaders' Meeting mechanism was launched in Seattle, the United States, turning the region into a powerhouse for world economic growth and an anchor of stability for global development. Thirty years later, President Xi Jinping renewed the original aspiration of the APEC mechanism on the west coast of the United States, and once again charted the course and drew a blueprint for Asia-Pacific cooperation.

President Xi Jinping profoundly summarized the useful inspiration from Asia-Pacific cooperation, pointing out that openness and inclusiveness is the defining feature of Asia-Pacific cooperation, development for all is the overarching goal of Asia-Pacific cooperation, and seeking common ground while shelving differences is the best practice in Asia-Pacific cooperation. Focusing on what we should do to usher in another "golden 30 years" for the Asia-Pacific, President Xi Jinping, with his grand historical vision, put forward proposals and solutions based on the analysis of problems. He proposed to stay committed to innovation-driven development, openness in development, green development, and inclusive development that delivers benefits to all, and promote the building of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future through high-quality development so that the fruits of modernization are shared by people across the world. These four aspects are consistent with China's new development philosophy and are things that China is doing down to earth, showing that China is committed to better empowering the development of the Asia-Pacific with its own actions and joining hands with all parties to promote high-quality growth in the Asia-Pacific. In response to certain countries' blatant calls for division and confrontation and malicious suppression of other countries' development, President Xi Jinping pointed out sharply that development is the eternal theme of the Asia-Pacific region. Development is only possible with cooperation, the absence of cooperation is the biggest risk, and decoupling and supply-chain disruption are not in anyone's interests. The region cannot and should not be an arena for geopolitical rivalry, still less should it be plunged into a new cold war or camp-based confrontation.

The series of major initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping are in keeping with the overriding trend and people's aspiration. They have important guiding significance and practical value for Asia-Pacific cooperation and global development, and have been highly recognized by and received positive responses from all parties present at the meeting. The Leaders' Declaration adopted at the meeting fully reflects China's ideas and propositions such as the implementation of the Putrajaya Vision, the building of an Asia-Pacific community, the development of the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area, inclusive and sustainable development, and connectivity. The international commentary describes that at the critical juncture of the 30th anniversary of the first APEC Leaders' Meeting, it is clear to the world which countries adhere to the original aspiration of Asia-Pacific cooperation, stay open and inclusive, and pursue mutual benefit and win-win results, and which countries go against the original aspiration and engage in geopolitical confrontation and decoupling and supply-chain disruption. No matter how the international situation changes, China will follow the trend of history, continue to promote an open economy and Asia-Pacific economic integration, and be committed to realizing the Asia-Pacific dream of common development, prosperity and progress.

IV. Expounding on China's path and vision

Wang Yi said, against the backdrop of sluggish world economic recovery and increasing uncertainties, the world is paying close attention to China's performance as a major global economy, with widespread expectations for China to continue playing the role as a "power source" and "stabilizer" for global growth. During the visit, President Xi Jinping delivered a written speech at the APEC CEO Summit, and made a comprehensive and in-depth introduction to the essence of Chinese modernization and its global significance to all walks of life in the United States and APEC participants on multiple occasions.

President Xi Jinping pointed out that Chinese modernization is socialist modernization pursued under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). It contains elements that are common to the modernization processes of all countries, but it is more characterized by features that are unique to the Chinese context. President Xi Jinping stressed that China is committed to striving in unity to achieve modernization for more than 1.4 billion Chinese people. China is committed to prosperity for all to deliver a better life for each and every Chinese. China is committed to well-rounded development to achieve both material and cultural-ethical advancement for the people. China is committed to sustainable development to achieve harmony between man and nature. China is committed to peaceful development to build a community with a shared future for mankind. These five "commitments" expound on the main characteristics of Chinese modernization in plain and accessible language, making the world further understand the mission and tasks of the CPC and China's development path.

President Xi Jinping pointed out that China's economy has been steadily recovering and turning for the better. Its growth rate is among the highest among major economies of the world. China remains the most powerful engine of global growth, and will generate one-third of global growth this year, sending the strongest message of promising prospects for China's economy. President Xi Jinping emphasized that China enjoys distinct strengths such as a socialist market economy in systemic terms, a supersize market in terms of demand, a full-fledged industrial system in terms of supply, and abundant, high-caliber labor forces and entrepreneurs in terms of human resources. President Xi Jinping made an authoritative statement on the internal logic and strong resilience of China's economic growth. Using vivid examples, President Xi Jinping illustrated China's unswerving resolve to promote high-quality development and high-standard opening up. Both the unprecedented successes of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the recent sixth China International Import Expo depict a dynamic picture that China pursues development with its doors open, and it is pursuing high-quality development and high value-added and green economic growth. President Xi Jinping stressed that no matter how the international situation evolves, China's resolve to foster a market-oriented, law-based and world-class business environment will not change. And its policy of providing equal and quality services to foreign investors will not change. President Xi Jinping announced that China will hold the second Global Digital Trade Expo, and also announced that China will further shorten the negative list on foreign investment, fully ensure national treatment for foreign investors, and promote the free and orderly flow of data in compliance with the law. President Xi Jinping's "two unchanged" statement and a series of major policy announcements were sonorous and powerful, sending a strong signal of China's high-standard opening up to the outside world and boosting the confidence of all parties in continuing cooperation with China. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo and business leaders stated that the United States welcomes a stable and prosperous China. Economic and trade cooperation with China has created a large number of jobs for the United States and American companies have a strong interest in the Chinese market. The United States is committed to developing long-term and stable relations with China.

During the visit, President Xi Jinping also had friendly bilateral meetings with President of Mexico Andrés Manuel López Obrador, President of Peru Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka, and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, providing strategic guidance for future development of relations. President Xi Jinping also met with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at the latter's request. The two leaders reaffirmed the two countries' commitment to abiding by the principles and common understandings of the four China-Japan political documents, and reconfirmed the positioning of comprehensively promoting a strategic relationship of mutual benefit and the commitment to building a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era. These bilateral meetings, together with the China-U.S. summit meeting and President Xi Jinping's attendance at APEC meetings, have made important efforts to create a favorable external environment for domestic high-quality development.

Wang Yi concluded that this visit is another successful practice of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and a "big move" by President Xi Jinping in managing relations between major countries. From the meeting between the heads of state of China and Russia held in Moscow at the beginning of this year to the China-U.S. summit meeting held in San Francisco at the end of this year, China has unremittingly advanced coordination and cooperation among major countries and facilitated the building of a framework of major-country relations featuring overall stability and balanced development, fully demonstrating China's responsibility as a major country. This visit is also President Xi Jinping's "final stop" to the multilateral summits he attended this year. From the first China-Central Asia Summit to the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and from the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg to the APEC Leaders' Meeting in San Francisco, China's propositions and visions have gained more popularity, and China's constructive role as a major country has become more prominent. This visit once again proves that no matter how the international situation changes, President Xi Jinping always guides China's diplomacy to meet challenges head on and move forward courageously with his farsighted vision, strong determination and outstanding wisdom, creating a proactive and favorable environment for realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making more and greater contributions to the world peace, development and progress. Wang Yi said, "The east wind blows and the rain falls on the green hills. We must further study and gain a thorough understanding of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and with the guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, we must continue to break new ground in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics."