China signals diplomatic outreach before Xi’s planned US visit

China’s ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, has described President Xi Jinping’s planned state visit as a “historic milestone” for relations between China and the US, according to the South China Morning Post. The ambassador’s comments came as Beijing unveiled new regulations on fentanyl. The source characterised the measures as a diplomatic gesture intended to help build momentum ahead of a planned Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

Xie said the relationship between the two countries would continue to move forward under the strategic guidance of their leaders. He used maritime imagery to describe the prospects for bilateral ties, saying the “giant ship” of China-US relations would continue ahead on a path of mutual cooperation. The supplied material did not give details of the new fentanyl regulations, including their effective date, scope or enforcement arrangements.

It also did not specify the date of Xi’s visit or provide details of the summit agenda. The report presented the regulations and the ambassador’s remarks together as signs of diplomatic preparation. No response from US officials was included in the available material.