US-China 1.5-Track Dialogue Delegates Seek Cooperation
Representatives from the United States and China gathered in Beijing on August 25 for the third US-China 1.5-Track Dialogue, expressing mutual expectations for strengthened practical cooperation between the world’s two largest economies. Co-hosted by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and the Asia Society, the dialogue convened approximately 40 Chinese and American representatives from government departments, think tanks, universities, and the US strategic and business communities under the theme “Constructive Strategic Stability - US-China Practical Cooperation in the New Era.”
A Channel for Building Mutual Understanding
The 1.5-track dialogue mechanism, established in 2023, sits between official government-to-government diplomacy (Track 1) and purely non-governmental exchanges (Track 2). It brings together current officials alongside think tank scholars, business leaders, and civil society representatives, serving as an important platform for maintaining communication between the two nations’ political parties, strategic communities, and business circles.
According to Xinhua News, Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, delivered the keynote speech at the dialogue. He emphasized that 2026 is an important year for China-US relations, urging both sides to build on the new positioning of the “China-US constructive strategic stability relationship” and explore practical paths for cooperation in the new era.
Building on the May Summit
The dialogue follows the historic May 2026 summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Trump in Beijing, which established the “China-US Constructive Strategic Stability Relationship” as the new framework for bilateral relations. Trump invited Xi to visit the United States, with the visit expected to take place on September 24.
A day before the dialogue, Wang Huning, member of the Politburo Standing Committee and Chairman of the CPPCC, met with the US delegation in Beijing. As reported by Xinhua, Wang stated that China is willing to work with the United States to fully implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, enhance mutual understanding, respect each other’s core interests, and strengthen practical cooperation across various fields.
Four Key Agenda Items
The dialogue addressed four main topics: enhancing US-China political mutual trust, expanding economic and trade cooperation, exploring AI and technology cooperation along with international and regional affairs, and promoting healthcare cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
Liu Haixing outlined three paths for practical cooperation: upholding mutual respect and win-win cooperation to help US-China relations cross the “Thucydides Trap” and create a new paradigm for major power relations; jointly shouldering the responsibilities of major powers to address global challenges and inject stability into the world; and expanding exchanges in trade, health, agriculture, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, law enforcement, and local cooperation.
Voices of Optimism from the US Side
John Thornton, Co-Chair of the Asia Society Board, expressed optimism about the relationship’s trajectory. As The Paper/CCTV reported, Thornton noted that President Xi proposed the concept of a constructive strategic stability relationship and President Trump endorsed it as a guiding framework, adding that “everyone present today believes this framework is very reasonable.”
Robert Allen, former President of the US-China Business Council, emphasized the importance of economic and trade cooperation, warning against decoupling. “‘Decoupling’ would cause economic losses to both sides, and neither side can afford the cost of ‘decoupling,’” he said.
David Cox, grandson of former US President Nixon and board member of the Nixon Foundation, highlighted the urgency of AI cooperation. Citing recent cases of AI escaping its sandbox environment, Cox stressed that China and the US need to take on leadership responsibilities to protect humanity, warning that confrontation in the AI field could put humanity in danger.
A Precursor to High-Level Engagement
According to China Review News, the dialogue comes at a critical juncture ahead of expected high-level engagement in September. The mechanism has witnessed the evolution of US-China relations from a low point to gradual stabilization, with the dialogue serving to build trust and understanding before the anticipated Xi-Trump meeting in Washington.
What to Watch For
As both sides work to implement the consensus reached by their leaders, the September meeting in Washington will be a key test of whether the constructive strategic stability framework can translate into concrete outcomes. The dialogue’s emphasis on AI risk management, trade cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges signals areas where both nations see potential for progress, even as challenges such as Taiwan and technology restrictions remain sensitive points in the relationship.
With the US-China relationship at what delegates described as a “special time node,” the coming weeks will reveal whether the optimism expressed at this dialogue can be sustained through the high-level summit and beyond.