US President Donald Trump (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) talk while walking after their meeting in Busan, South Korea, this October. (Reuters file photo)

Official Chinese media published a signed article on Friday, December 26, warning that any narrative attempting to oversimplify China - US relations as merely "competition" or even "confrontation" deviates from and misinterprets reality. Such a view not only does no good to solving problems but also creates more serious new issues for both countries and the world at large.

The flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee ran a signed article titled "Act Pragmatically to Fulfill Major - Power Responsibilities" under the byline "Zhong Sheng" on the third page on Friday. As the first piece in a series offering insights into China - US economic and trade ties in 2025, People's Daily looked back at the global upheavals over the past year and noted that interactions between China and the US in economic and trade sectors have always captured worldwide attention. China - US economic and trade relations have experienced ups and downs, shifting from "confrontation" to "negotiation" and moving from a seemingly hopeless impasse back to the track of equal dialogue and consultation.

The article pointed out that at a time when economic and trade turmoil has unsettled the world, summit diplomacy between the Chinese and US heads of state has played a crucial stabilizing role in setting the course for bilateral relations. Through phone calls and face - to - face meetings, the two presidents have conducted in - depth exchanges and reached important consensuses, providing strategic guidance for the two sides to properly resolve differences and address issues, and injecting much - needed certainty and stability into a volatile world.

Guided by these consensuses reached by the two presidents, teams from China and the US have held five rounds of consultations, gradually building up mutual understanding and making progress in solving problems. The article emphasized a repeatedly verified fact: any narrative that tries to oversimplify China - US relations as "competition" or even "confrontation" is a departure from and misinterpretation of reality. It not only fails to help resolve problems but also gives rise to more severe new ones for both countries and the entire world.

The article further stated that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti - Fascist War. In that life - and - death struggle that determined the future and destiny of humanity, China and the US fought side by side, making extraordinary contributions to safeguarding peace and justice and saving human civilization in its darkest hour. Looking back at history, the enlightenment is clear: for the sake of shared responsibilities and a common future, China and the US should and can work together.

It argued that China - US relations not only influence the global strategic landscape but also drive the pulse of the world economy, having a bearing on the livelihoods of people across the globe. Trade interactions between the two countries vividly demonstrate the spillover effects of their bilateral ties. From production lines in Southeast Asia to traders in Latin America, and from the international financial markets to the global industrial and supply chains, every slight change in China - US economic and trade relations triggers ripples in the world economy that spread rapidly.

Beneath these ripples lies a profound question about the direction of the times: should we accumulate risks through confrontation or build consensus through dialogue; should we intensify division amid turbulence or achieve win - win outcomes through cooperation. Whether China and the US can properly handle their relations is crucial to the future of the world, and it is an epoch - defining question that both countries must answer well. This significant judgment has been continuously confirmed by reality.

The article noted that at this critical juncture of volatile history, the world expects China and the US to make responsible choices to promote global peace and development. As two major powers sharing extensive common interests, if China and the US properly manage their differences and focus on cooperation, they can continuously bring benefits to each other and the whole world.

It added that China has always been committed to acting in the interests of the people and pursuing what is beneficial to the world. The proposals for the 15th Five - Year Plan (2026 - 2030) clearly state the need to "actively expand independent opening - up", "promote innovative development of trade" and "broaden the space for two - way investment cooperation". These initiatives will open up broader prospects for China to expand win - win cooperation with all global partners, including the United States. It is hoped that the United States will work in the same direction as China, act pragmatically to shoulder its major - power responsibilities, and boost global confidence in development.

The article concluded by stating that when China and the US cooperate, the world enjoys peace; when they confront each other, the world faces worries. Major powers should behave like major powers, with the vision and sense of responsibility that befit their status. Faced with new situations and challenges, both China and the US should prioritize the interests of their peoples and the long - term well - being of the world. They should open their doors wider to the outside world, broaden the path of cooperation, send stronger signals of stability, and jointly inject more powerful positive energy into the world's efforts to address various challenges.

US President Donald Trump (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) talk while walking after their meeting in Busan, South Korea, this October. (Reuters file photo)

Official Chinese media published a signed article on Friday, December 26, warning that any narrative attempting to oversimplify China - US relations as merely "competition" or even "confrontation" deviates from and misinterprets reality. Such a view not only does no good to solving problems but also creates more serious new issues for both countries and the world at large.

The flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee ran a signed article titled "Act Pragmatically to Fulfill Major - Power Responsibilities" under the byline "Zhong Sheng" on the third page on Friday. As the first piece in a series offering insights into China - US economic and trade ties in 2025, People's Daily looked back at the global upheavals over the past year and noted that interactions between China and the US in economic and trade sectors have always captured worldwide attention. China - US economic and trade relations have experienced ups and downs, shifting from "confrontation" to "negotiation" and moving from a seemingly hopeless impasse back to the track of equal dialogue and consultation.

The article pointed out that at a time when economic and trade turmoil has unsettled the world, summit diplomacy between the Chinese and US heads of state has played a crucial stabilizing role in setting the course for bilateral relations. Through phone calls and face - to - face meetings, the two presidents have conducted in - depth exchanges and reached important consensuses, providing strategic guidance for the two sides to properly resolve differences and address issues, and injecting much - needed certainty and stability into a volatile world.

Guided by these consensuses reached by the two presidents, teams from China and the US have held five rounds of consultations, gradually building up mutual understanding and making progress in solving problems. The article emphasized a repeatedly verified fact: any narrative that tries to oversimplify China - US relations as "competition" or even "confrontation" is a departure from and misinterpretation of reality. It not only fails to help resolve problems but also gives rise to more severe new ones for both countries and the entire world.

The article further stated that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti - Fascist War. In that life - and - death struggle that determined the future and destiny of humanity, China and the US fought side by side, making extraordinary contributions to safeguarding peace and justice and saving human civilization in its darkest hour. Looking back at history, the enlightenment is clear: for the sake of shared responsibilities and a common future, China and the US should and can work together.

It argued that China - US relations not only influence the global strategic landscape but also drive the pulse of the world economy, having a bearing on the livelihoods of people across the globe. Trade interactions between the two countries vividly demonstrate the spillover effects of their bilateral ties. From production lines in Southeast Asia to traders in Latin America, and from the international financial markets to the global industrial and supply chains, every slight change in China - US economic and trade relations triggers ripples in the world economy that spread rapidly.

Beneath these ripples lies a profound question about the direction of the times: should we accumulate risks through confrontation or build consensus through dialogue; should we intensify division amid turbulence or achieve win - win outcomes through cooperation. Whether China and the US can properly handle their relations is crucial to the future of the world, and it is an epoch - defining question that both countries must answer well. This significant judgment has been continuously confirmed by reality.

The article noted that at this critical juncture of volatile history, the world expects China and the US to make responsible choices to promote global peace and development. As two major powers sharing extensive common interests, if China and the US properly manage their differences and focus on cooperation, they can continuously bring benefits to each other and the whole world.

It added that China has always been committed to acting in the interests of the people and pursuing what is beneficial to the world. The proposals for the 15th Five - Year Plan (2026 - 2030) clearly state the need to "actively expand independent opening - up", "promote innovative development of trade" and "broaden the space for two - way investment cooperation". These initiatives will open up broader prospects for China to expand win - win cooperation with all global partners, including the United States. It is hoped that the United States will work in the same direction as China, act pragmatically to shoulder its major - power responsibilities, and boost global confidence in development.

The article concluded by stating that when China and the US cooperate, the world enjoys peace; when they confront each other, the world faces worries. Major powers should behave like major powers, with the vision and sense of responsibility that befit their status. Faced with new situations and challenges, both China and the US should prioritize the interests of their peoples and the long - term well - being of the world. They should open their doors wider to the outside world, broaden the path of cooperation, send stronger signals of stability, and jointly inject more powerful positive energy into the world's efforts to address various challenges.