Beijing Review: The Bigger Picture

BEIJING, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- "The finer details fall into place when they align with the bigger picture."

The quote comes from an essay by Ouyang Xiu, a renowned literary figure in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). It means that one should first grasp the bigger picture. Only by keeping in mind the bigger picture can we properly address the smaller, specific issues at hand.

On September 22, 2015, ahead of his state visit to the United States, Xi quoted this line in a written interview with U.S. newspaper The Wall Street Journal. Drawing on this quote, he highlighted the importance of viewing China-U.S. relations from a holistic and strategic perspective, addressing differences with the bigger picture in mind, and thereby finding the right way for the two countries to get along.

What is the bigger picture of China-U.S. relations?

China and the U.S. are the world's two largest economies. Both are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Together, the two countries account for more than one third of the world economy and one fourth of the global population. They also have extensive trade ties.

Their relationship has transcended bilateral boundaries to shape global dynamics. This is the broader perspective that is essential to understanding China-U.S. relations, which not only encompasses the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, but also reflects the shared aspiration of the two nations for a better life.

This is the path forward for China-U.S. relations, one that not only serves the interests of both peoples but also contributes to global peace, stability and development.

What, then, are the smaller issues in China-U.S. relations?

In areas such as economic ties, trade, technological competition, social systems, values and regional affairs, the two countries do have disagreements.

Given their differences in history, culture, stages of development, national conditions and political systems, it is only natural that the two large, influential countries do not see eye to eye on everything.

Since China and the U.S. established diplomatic relations in 1979, despite all the ups and downs, their relationship has remained largely stable and continued to move forward. Their interests have grown increasingly intertwined.

The past almost 50 years have seen many historic breakthroughs, beginning with the official ice-breaking in 1979, followed by the U.S. granting China permanent normal trade relations status in 2001, and joint efforts to address the global financial crisis in 2008. The relationship has also seen its fair share of friction, including the U.S. trade and tech war against China.

Both China and the U.S. stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. This is what history tells us.

The two countries must look at the larger picture instead of focusing on differences and confrontations. This is the right way forward. Otherwise, we will lose sight of what really matters. In the end, this incorrect approach would hurt the interests of both countries, and undermine global stability and development.

This May, the leaders of the two countries met in Beijing and set out a new framework for bilateral relations, which is to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability. This sets a new direction for China-U.S. relations moving forward, providing clear strategic guidance for the relationship over the next three years and beyond.

We are in a world where regional conflicts, climate change and AI governance and other pressing issues pose mounting challenges for all humanity.

"The finer details fall into place when they align with the bigger picture." This offers a practical path for managing China-U.S. relations.

The two countries should keep that in mind and work together to bring more certainty and strength to an unstable world.

When conflicts emerge, the two countries must rise above their differences and hold fast to their common ground. Only by doing so can they steer the bilateral relationship through rough seas and keep it on the right course, as it sails toward greater global peace and prosperity.

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SOURCE Beijing Review