John Quelch

Editor's Note:

US President Donald Trump just concluded his trip to China. What's the significance of China-US relations to the world at large? John Quelch (Quelch), executive vice chancellor, American president and distinguished professor of social science at Duke Kunshan University said to the Global Times (GT) China remains one of the most significant growth opportunities in global economy, and that pragmatic China-US cooperation is both possible and necessary.

GT: US President Donald Trump just concluded his trip to China. In your opinion, what is the significance of stable China-US relations to the world at large?

Quelch: Stable relations between China and the US are of fundamental importance not only to the two countries, but also to the broader international community. Together, the two economies account for a very substantial share of global GDP, trade, investment flows, technological innovation, and carbon emissions. When the relationship is stable and constructive, global markets tend to be more confident, supply chains more resilient, and geopolitical risks more manageable.

At a time when the world faces multiple shared challenges - including climate change, public health risks, economic uncertainty, energy security, and regional conflicts - sustained communication between Beijing and Washington is essential. Competition between major powers is natural, but competition must be responsibly managed. The most important objective is to prevent strategic competition from escalating into confrontation.

Dialogue at the highest level plays an especially important role. Heads-of-state engagement helps reduce misunderstanding, build channels of trust, and create political space for pragmatic cooperation, even when differences remain in areas such as trade, technology, or security. The world benefits when the two largest economies can maintain predictability, communicate candidly, and cooperate where their interests align.

GT: How do you view pragmatic cooperation between China and the US? In which areas do you believe that the two countries can cooperate?  

Quelch: Pragmatic cooperation between China and the US remains both possible and necessary. Although the two countries differ in their political systems and sometimes in strategic priorities, they also share many overlapping interests. The key is to focus on areas where cooperation can generate tangible mutual benefit.

The first and a very obvious one is climate and clean energy. China and the US are both major innovators in renewable energy, electric vehicles, battery technology, and green infrastructure. Collaboration - or even healthy competition within agreed international frameworks - can accelerate the global energy transition.

A second area is public health. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that viruses do not respect national borders. Scientific exchange, disease surveillance, and coordination in healthcare innovation are all in the interests of the international community.

Third, there are significant opportunities in education, research, and people-to-people exchanges. Academic collaboration has historically contributed greatly to scientific advancement and mutual understanding. Maintaining channels for students, scholars, and business leaders to engage with one another is important for long-term stability.

There is also room for cooperation in macroeconomic coordination, financial stability, food security, and responsible governance of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Importantly, successful China-US cooperation creates positive externalities for the rest of the world. When the two largest economies cooperate constructively, developing countries benefit from stronger trade flows, more stable markets, and greater confidence in global institutions. In that sense, pragmatic cooperation is not simply a bilateral matter; it has global implications.

GT: The world is currently undergoing tremendous changes. Head-of-state diplomacy is the anchor of Chinese diplomacy. Some say that head-of-state diplomacy is injecting stability into a volatile world, and that it embodies the responsibility of a major country. What is your take on this view?

Quelch: The international environment today is undeniably complex. Geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, armed conflicts, and technological disruption have all contributed to a heightened sense of uncertainty. In such an environment, major powers are increasingly expected to contribute not only to their own national development, but also to international stability.

China's diplomatic engagement in recent years has certainly become more active and visible on the global stage. Through high-level visits, participation in multilateral forums, and engagement with both developed and developing economies, China has sought to position itself as a supporter of international connectivity, economic cooperation, and long-term development.

Many countries, especially in the Global South, view sustained engagement by major powers as valuable in a period of volatility. China's emphasis on infrastructure development, trade connectivity, and multilateral dialogue resonates with nations seeking economic growth and strategic balance. China unusually promotes imports into China, not just exports, and there are no tariffs on imports from all African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.

At the same time, all major countries, including China, the US, and others, carry significant responsibilities in maintaining global stability. The most effective diplomacy is diplomacy that promotes frequent communication at both working group and leadership levels, reduces the risk of conflict, and supports practical cooperation on shared challenges. In today's interconnected world, stability cannot be achieved by any one country acting alone; it requires sustained engagement among major powers and international institutions alike.

GT: Against the backdrop of profound uncertainty in the global economy and trade, how do you view the significance and prospects of the Chinese market?

Quelch: First of all, many multinationals see China now as a source of innovation and they must have R&D listening posts in China, for example, in drug development. So, China is no longer a large market and a source of efficient manufacturing.

Having said those, the Chinese market remains one of the most significant growth opportunities in the global economy. China possesses several enduring strengths: a very large domestic market, a sophisticated manufacturing ecosystem, rapidly advancing technological capabilities, and an increasingly well-educated consumer base.

Even amid short-term economic pressures and external uncertainties, many multinational companies continue to view China as strategically important - not only as a production base, but increasingly as a market for innovation, services, healthcare, green technology, and premium consumer products.

One particularly important trend is the evolution of Chinese consumption. As incomes rise and consumer expectations become more sophisticated, demand is growing in areas such as healthcare, education, financial services, sustainable products, and digital experiences. This creates opportunities for both domestic and international companies.

China also plays a critical role in global supply chains. While companies are diversifying operations geographically to improve resilience, China's infrastructure, logistics capabilities, and industrial depth remain difficult to replicate at scale.

Looking ahead, the long-term attractiveness of the Chinese market will depend in part on continued reform, openness, regulatory transparency, and confidence among domestic and international investors. If China continues to encourage innovation, expand high-level opening-up, and support private sector vitality, it is likely to remain a central driver of global growth for many years to come.