{
  "id": 11083510,
  "title": "Greater China-US exchanges crucial for deepening trust between peoples",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/greater-china-us-exchanges-crucial-for-deepening-trust-between-peoples",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T02:09:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Jakarta Post",
    "slug": "the-jakarta-post",
    "url": "https://www.thejakartapost.com/opinion/2026/10/01/greater-china-us-exchanges-crucial-for-deepening-trust-between-peoples.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Greater China-US exchanges are essential for enhancing mutual trust and cooperation between the two nations, according to experts. President Xi Jinping's recent visit to the US has once again spotlighted this critical relationship, with the potential to shape global affairs. While high-level official meetings contribute to strategic stability, broader societal trust is vital for long-term resilience.\n\nPeople-to-people diplomacy, which bridges governments, think tanks, media, businesses, and civil society, plays a crucial role in fostering shared understanding and trust between the Chinese and American peoples. This approach utilizes \"soft\" methods, helping each country perceive the other's genuine concerns and people as reasonable and trustworthy. By reducing the risk of misinterpreting official signals and preventing the escalation of security dilemmas, people-to-people diplomacy helps break down stereotypes and promotes mutual respect.\n\nThe US population's opinion of China has improved significantly, with nearly double the number of respondents holding a favorable view in recent years compared to 2023. Public sentiment is increasingly questioning the benefits of a trade war with China due to its economic consequences. Younger generations, in particular, are engaging with China through diverse channels and are less ideologically entrenched in anti-China rhetoric.\n\nNevertheless, political polarization, fear of hegemony, and demonizing narratives still dominate US media and think tanks. To capitalize on the current positive momentum, sustained efforts are needed to promote people-to-people diplomacy. Engaging in regular collaborative networks among think tanks, universities, businesses, and civil society on issues like climate change, public health, and AI ethics can strengthen societal bonds and provide a stabilizing force during periods of official tension.\n\nThe US should invest in institutional channels for cultural and people-to-people exchanges with China, such as educational exchange programs, streamlined visa procedures for Chinese students and scholars, and joint training and research collaborations between universities. Additionally, supporting joint research between leading academic institutions and encouraging cooperation on algorithmic fairness and safety assessments of large language models can help maintain the US' technological edge while preventing decoupling-induced isolation.\n\nBy presenting China's truths and fostering dialogue between young people from both nations on shared issues like climate change and digitalization, the US can effectively build trust and credibility. This strategic approach recognizes that while China may compete with the West, it also offers valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration. By nurturing these relationships, the US can enhance its global influence, strengthen its soft power, and maintain stability in critical areas of mutual interest.",
  "summary": "People's diplomacy is valuable because it acknowledges competition while setting boundaries, fostering cooperation and providing buffers for tensions.",
  "key_points": [
    "Greater China-US exchanges vital for mutual trust, experts say",
    "People-to-people diplomacy crucial for shared understanding and trust",
    "US public sentiment toward China improving, favorability up"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Greater China-US exchanges signal a shift towards building societal trust, with people-to-people diplomacy offering a stabilizing force during official tensions and fostering mutual respect between the two nations.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}