Removing Obstacles and Purchasing Agricultural Products... China Creates Reconciliation Mood Toward the US

Xi Jinping "Willing to Pursue Common Prosperity with the US"

The atmosphere of reconciliation between the United States and China is intensifying, raising the possibility of resuming exchanges in economic and security dimensions. It is expected that U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a face-to-face meeting next month during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, while China is showing a willingness to improve relations by sending friendly messages.

According to China's Xinhua News Agency on the 25th, President Xi emphasized in a congratulatory letter sent to the annual dinner of the U.S.-China Relations National Committee that China is willing to cooperate with the United States to promote common prosperity. He stated, "China is willing to cooperate with the United States based on the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation to advance mutually beneficial cooperation, properly manage differences, jointly address global challenges, contribute to mutual development, and promote common prosperity so that benefits are delivered worldwide."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

China’s resumption of purchases of U.S. agricultural products, including billions of dollars worth of soybeans, for the first time since 2017 also strengthens the friendly atmosphere between the two countries. Bloomberg reported on the 23rd (local time) that a Chinese delegation, including COFCO and China Grain Reserves Corporation (Sino Grain), attended a promotional event hosted by the U.S. Soybean Association in Iowa and agreed to purchase billions of dollars worth of soybeans and other agricultural products.

The Chinese delegation had not signed import contracts for U.S. agricultural products on this scale since 2017. Instead, China had reduced imports from the U.S. by opening alternative supply lines from Brazil, Ukraine, and other countries. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as of the 19th of this year, China’s purchases of U.S. soybeans and corn have decreased by 39% and 73%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

Diplomatic circles interpret China’s friendly gestures as linked to the high likelihood of a U.S.-China summit during the APEC summit held in San Francisco from November 11 to 17. Wang Yi, Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office of the Chinese Communist Party and Foreign Minister, is also making a surprise visit to Washington, D.C. on the 26th (local time) to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which is seen as a high-level meeting to prepare for the summit. It is reported that Blinken and Wang Yi will finalize the schedule, agenda, and security arrangements for the summit. Since May, the two countries have held a series of high-level meetings involving diplomatic and security chiefs, foreign, treasury, and commerce ministers, and Wang Yi’s visit to Washington, D.C. is expected to formalize the holding of the U.S.-China summit.

There is also analysis that the dismissal of Li Shangfu, Minister of National Defense and State Councilor, who had been absent for months without any public explanation, is related to the same background. Li Shangfu disappeared from official appearances for about three months after attending the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum on August 29, sparking rumors of his fall from power.

He had been sanctioned by the U.S. for illegally purchasing 10 Su-35 fighter jets and the S-400 air defense missile system from Russia in 2018 while serving as Director of the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission. However, he gained the trust of Chinese President Xi Jinping and was appointed Minister of National Defense in March, attracting attention. China’s refusal to hold military talks with the U.S. was also conditioned on lifting sanctions against Li Shangfu. His dismissal is said to be aimed at removing a troublesome source of military conflict. Bloomberg predicted, "With Li Shangfu’s removal, high-level military talks between the U.S. and China, which have been suspended for over a year, may resume."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.