U.S., China to review progress made on major issues
U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to China this weekend for the G20 summit and meetings with Chinese leaders, one of his last high-profile activities before his term expires, is a chance to consolidate his political legacy on Sino-U.S. ties to ensure a good start for the next U.S. administration, experts said. [Special coverage]
Obama will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday, a day before leaders of the Group of 20 industrial and emerging-market economies hold their 11th summit in East China's Hangzhou, on major issues of concern to the two countries, the White House said on Monday.
Obama is also expected to attend a dinner to be hosted by Xi, said Ben Rhodes, White House deputy national security adviser for strategic communications.
On the positive side, they will review progress that has been made in the global economy, climate change, shared efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons through the Iran deal, and shared concerns on the Korean Peninsula.
At the same time, the two leaders will also address differences, such as cyber issues, economic practices, maritime issues and human rights issues, Rhodes said.
The Associated Press said Obama's trip, five months to the end of his term, is meant to highlight his administration's seven-year effort to expand U.S. influence in Asia.
"We believe President Obama will come to Hangzhou with sincerity and goodwill," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular news briefing. "As responsible major economies, China and the U.S. will jointly contribute to world economic growth and improve global economic governance."
Climate change
Observers said Obama's visit is significant as the two countries have agreed to ensure a smooth transition for China-U.S. ties between two U.S. administrations.
"China-U.S. relations have often been bumpy during the U.S. election campaign," said Ruan Zongze, vice president of the China Institute of International Studies. "This time, the two countries want to highlight their cooperation to lay a solid foundation for the next U.S. administration."
During her visit to China in July, U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice made it clear that Obama would emphasize cooperation in his G20 trip.
The two countries' efforts in the past two years to spearhead world action on climate change are also expected to be highlighted during the G20 summit.
The two nations announced their emissions reduction plans in 2014, which are believed to have greatly contributed to the approval of the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015. Chinese and U.S. officials have said they agreed to push for the pact's implementation by the end of the year.
The climate change issue is high on the Hangzhou G20 summit's agenda. Xi and Obama are expected to announce progress made by the two nations toward ratifying the Paris agreement.
"This was a difficult achievement for the two countries, as opposition is strong in both countries," said Shen Dingli, deputy dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, saying some 1.8 million workers in the steel and coal industries are expected to lose their jobs this year as a result of China's efforts to cut overcapacity and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Positive impact
Sun Chenghao, an assistant research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said it is rare for two leaders to meet for several hours. The meeting is expected to have a positive impact on Sino-U.S. ties similar to their previous meetings in Washington and Beijing.
"Despite previous friction between the two countries, current relations look positive," Sun told the Global Times.
After the G20 summit, Obama will visit Laos to attend a meeting of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The South China Sea issue is expected to be high on Obama's agenda.
But Ruan said Xi's meeting with Obama will help reduce tensions on the South China Sea issue. "A frank exchange between the Chinese and U.S. leaders over the two countries' differences is a good way to manage the disputes," he said.
Obama's visit to Laos also eyes reinforcing the U.S. pivot to Asia, a key political legacy of his administration. However, the policy has had limited effect as it failed to postpone China's rise, only deepening strategic distrust between the two nations, said Jin Canrong, an expert from the Renmin University of China.
