On the evening of March 18, President Xi Jinping had a video call with U.S. President Joe Biden at the request. This was the first "cloud meeting" between the two heads of state after four months.

At a critical moment in the development of Sino-US relations, and at a critical juncture of renewed war in the European continent, what important messages did this video call convey?

"Cloud Meeting" again after four months

  On the morning of November 16 last year, as agreed by China and the United States, Xi Jinping held a video meeting with Biden. The two sides had a full and in-depth discussion on the strategic, overall and fundamental issues related to the development of China-US relations, as well as important issues of mutual concern. Communicate and communicate.

  On the evening of March 18 this year, Xi Jinping had a video call with Biden at the request. The two heads of state had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on issues of common concern such as Sino-US relations and the situation in Ukraine.

  Seeing each other across the screen again, Xi Jinping said that since our first "cloud meeting" last November, the international situation has undergone new and major changes.

The Ukraine crisis, which is still unfolding, is one of these "new major changes".

And this is exactly what the two heads of state talked about that night.

On March 18, 2022, the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

(Photographed by CCTV reporter Zhao Hua)

  The two "cloud meetings", from "the world is not peaceful" to "the world is neither peaceful nor peaceful", the situation is even more worrying.

  Xi Jinping once told Biden that China-US cooperation can accomplish many great things that are beneficial to the two countries and the world, and the confrontation between China and the United States will definitely be a disaster for the two countries and the world.

Whether China and the U.S. can handle each other's relations well has a bearing on the future and destiny of the world. It is a question of the century that must be answered by the two countries.

  Looking back at history, perhaps we can find the key to solving contemporary problems.

  Last year, the first "cloud meeting" was the 50th anniversary of the "ice-breaking" of Sino-US bilateral relations.

During the meeting, Xi Jinping said that in the past 50 years, one of the most important events in international relations has been the recovery and development of Sino-US relations, which has benefited both countries and the world.

In the next 50 years, the most important thing in international relations is that China and the United States must find the right way to get along.

  This year of the "Cloud Meeting" again marks the 50th anniversary of the issuance of the "Shanghai Communiqué" between China and the United States.

At the end of last month, a commemorative conference was held in Shanghai to summarize historical experience and enlighten the way forward.

In this video call, Biden said that today, 50 years later, the US-China relationship is once again at a critical moment, and how the US-China relationship develops will shape the world pattern in the 21st century.

  History, reality and future are interlinked.

Only from the perspective of the big history can we further grasp the laws and general trends of historical development and firmly grasp the historical initiative.

Sino-US relations: Steady the rudder

  In the video meeting between the heads of China and the United States four months ago, Xi Jinping made a metaphor: "China and the United States are two giant ships sailing in the sea, we must stabilize the rudder and make the two giant ships of China and the United States face the wind and waves together. Move forward without yaw, stall, and collision."

  The development of Sino-US relations is of paramount importance.

In this video call, Xi Jinping used "very important" and "very dangerous" to talk about two important issues.

  What attaches great importance is Biden's reiteration of "Four Nos, One Unintentional" - the United States does not seek to fight a "new Cold War" with China, does not seek to change the Chinese system, does not seek to oppose China by strengthening alliance relations, and does not support "Taiwan independence", No conflict with China.

Xi Jinping said, "I attach great importance to your remarks." He also pointedly pointed out that the direct reason for the current situation of Sino-US relations is that some people in the United States have not implemented the important consensus reached by the two of us. Nor has the positive statement of Mr. President been put into practice.

In February 2022, Shenzhen Yantian Port, a large container ship loads and unloads goods at the port.

(Photo/Visual China)

  It is very dangerous that some people in the United States send wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" forces.

The Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and has always been the core and most sensitive issue in China-US relations.

In this video call, Xi Jinping pointed out that if the Taiwan issue is not handled properly, it will have a subversive impact on the relationship between the two countries. "I hope the United States will pay enough attention to it." In the last video conference, Xi Jinping pointed out that if "Taiwan independence" If the separatist forces provoke and persecute, or even break through the red line, we will have to take decisive measures.

  The reason why the development of Sino-US relations should be stabilized is that they are "two giant ships".

In this video call, Xi Jinping said that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the world's two largest economies, we must not only lead the development of China-US relations on the right track, but also shoulder our due international responsibilities and serve the world. efforts for peace and tranquility.

Biden also expressed his willingness to maintain close communication with President Xi Jinping to steer the US-China relationship.

Strategic Intent: No Misjudgment

  Facts continue to prove that China-US relations have not yet overcome the predicament created by the previous US administration, but have instead encountered more and more challenges.

In this video call, Xi Jinping pointed out that the US has misread and misjudged China's strategic intentions.

  In the last video meeting, Xi Jinping gave a detailed introduction to China's development path and strategic intentions.

He said that China has no intention of promoting its own path to the whole world. On the contrary, we have been encouraging all countries to find a development path that suits their national conditions.

He also pointed out that there is no gene in the blood of the Chinese nation to invade others and become kings.

  Biden also said that the two sides should increase their understanding of each other's intentions through open and frank dialogues, and ensure that the competition between the two countries is fair and healthy, and does not turn into a conflict.

In 2021, nearly 3,000 exhibitors from 127 countries and regions will be present at the fourth CIIE.

(Photo/Visual China)

  People have become more and more aware of this point: misreading and misjudging strategic intentions, and then engaging in ideological demarcation, camp division, and group confrontation, will inevitably lead to the world suffering.

  As for the differences between China and the United States, it is natural. The key is to manage and control them well and avoid expansion and intensification.

In the video call, Xi Jinping said that China and the United States had differences in the past and present, and there will be differences in the future.

The key is to manage differences.

A stable and developing Sino-US relationship is beneficial to both sides.

Ukraine Crisis: Promoting Peace and Promoting Talks

  The situation in Ukraine was the focus of the video call.

  Xi Jinping clearly stated that the Ukrainian crisis is something we do not want to see.

Relevant events once again show that state-to-state relations cannot go to the point of confrontation. Conflict and confrontation are not in anyone's interests. Peace and security are the most treasured treasures of the international community.

  On the Ukraine issue, China's position has been consistent.

In this video call, Xi Jinping said that we have always proceeded from the right and wrong of the matter itself, made independent judgments, advocated the maintenance of international law and the universally recognized basic norms of international relations, insisted on acting in accordance with the UN Charter, and advocated common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable safety concept.

These broad principles are the foothold for China to handle the Ukrainian crisis.

On March 12, 2022, the Ukrainian Red Cross began to distribute the first batch of humanitarian supplies donated by China.

(Data map)

  On the Ukraine issue, China has also been calling on the international community to focus on promoting peace talks and preventing large-scale humanitarian crises, and has made great efforts to this end.

On the second day of the conflict, President Xi Jinping and President Putin expressed the hope to see peace talks between Russia and Ukraine as soon as possible, and received a positive response.

On the 8th of this month, when President Xi held a video summit with leaders of France and Germany, he proposed that we should jointly support the Russia-Ukraine peace talks, promote the two sides to maintain the momentum of the negotiation, overcome difficulties and continue the negotiation, negotiate results and negotiate peace.

  Just a few hours before the video call on the evening of March 18, Xi Jinping had phone calls with South African President Ramaphosa and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen respectively. When talking about the situation in Ukraine, they agreed to make positive efforts to persuade peace and promote talks. , resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation.

  In a video call with U.S. President Joe Biden, Xi Jinping reiterated that all parties should jointly support Russia-Ukraine dialogue and negotiation, and negotiate results and peace.

He also pointed out that the United States and NATO should also conduct dialogue with Russia to solve the crux of the Ukraine crisis and resolve the security concerns of both Russia and Ukraine.

"The Urgent Matter" and "The Long Way"

  Freezing three feet is not a day's cold.

The situation in Ukraine has developed to this day for complicated reasons.

  At a video summit between China, France and Germany on the 8th of this month, Xi Jinping pointed out that the top priority is to prevent tensions from escalating and even getting out of control.

In the video call on the 18th, he again talked about the "urgent priority": continue dialogue and negotiation, avoid civilian casualties, prevent humanitarian crises, and cease fire and war at an early date.

  Xi Jinping also talked about the "long-term solution": major powers respect each other, abandon the Cold War mentality, do not engage in camp confrontation, and gradually build a balanced, effective and sustainable global and regional security architecture.

In September 2021, President Xi Jinping will attend the general debate of the 76th United Nations General Assembly by video and deliver a speech.

(Data map)

  In the video meeting four months ago, Xi Jinping said a meaningful sentence: "History is fair, and what a politician does, whether it is merit or demerit, must be recorded in history."

  In this video call, his remarks were equally thought-provoking: the more complicated the situation, the more need to remain calm and rational.

We must show political courage under any circumstances, create space for peace and leave room for political settlement.

  For example, it is neither reasonable nor unreasonable to wave the stick of sanctions at every turn.

Xi Jinping said that with all-round and indiscriminate sanctions, it is the common people who suffer.

  How to finally find a solution?

Xi cited two old Chinese sayings, one is "a slap won't clack" and the other is "the person who unlocks the bell must also tie the bell".

He said that the key is for the parties concerned to demonstrate political will, focus on the present, face the future, and find a proper solution. Other parties can and should create conditions for this.

  Xi Jinping said that China has been doing its best for peace and will continue to play a constructive role.

  When evaluating the video call, the two heads of state also used the word "constructive".

Only with more constructive efforts and concrete actions can China-US relations return to the track of stable development and better benefit the peoples of the two countries and the rest of the world.