President Trump is expected to visit China on May 14th and 15th to meet with the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping. An article by The Wall Street Journal on April 27th revealed the “extreme” protocols behind the US-China summit.
According to the article, in the days leading up to the Trump-Xi meeting, hundreds of government officials from both sides are working fervently to ensure that Trump and Xi Jinping’s speeches are flawless, their schedules precise, and to prevent any mishaps. Every detail, from the welcoming ceremony on the tarmac to booking the entire hotel, must be meticulously planned in advance. The planning of these schedules is so precise, with each 15-minute interval accounted for, earning it the nickname “tick-tock”.
The article concludes by stating that in the backstage theater of international diplomacy, the meeting of the world’s two most powerful leaders could hinge on the most minute etiquette oversight, unexpected mistakes, or even a bit of saliva left on a fork. It is both a ludicrous and extremely serious ritual, where the length of the red carpet can reflect the world’s geopolitics more than official statements.
On the 29th, several senior scholars appearing on New Tang Dynasty Television’s program ‘News Talk’ further analyzed this topic.
Dr. Jing Yuanzhou, a visiting professor of Diplomacy and International Relations at Tamkang University in Taiwan, emphasized that the US-China relationship is not only a concern for Americans and Chinese but also captures the attention of the entire world. The detailed arrangements during Trump’s official visit to China are crucial as formalities themselves constitute content in international diplomacy.
Dr. Jing cited examples such as the length of the red carpet when Trump disembarks, who exits the vehicle first, the positioning during photo ops, and the arrangement of flags, as these details are crucial. The duration of their handshake also garners significant attention. Additionally, if there is a height difference between Trump and Xi Jinping, a podium is usually prepared for the shorter party to ensure visual parity. Dr. Jing interpreted these seemingly ceremonial aspects as sending underlying messages of power and the importance of maintaining equal footing.
Especially amidst the intense competition between the US and China, internal factions, allies, military institutions, and adversaries are all scrutinizing these details and attempting to decode the messages being conveyed.
Dr. Jing highlighted that if Trump appears passive during the meeting, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could exploit this through official media channels, claiming signals of US concessions to China.
In fact, during Trump’s first term visit to China, diplomatic friction over details emerged. In November 2017, during Trump’s inaugural visit to China, a clash dubbed the “nuclear football incident” occurred. The “nuclear football” refers to the briefcase containing nuclear launch codes. Only the US president can authorize a nuclear strike, and thus, the “nuclear football” is always in close proximity to the president.
Axios news website cited multiple sources in February 2018, reporting an incident that took place on November 9, 2017, as Trump and his entourage entered the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Upon Trump’s arrival, Chinese security personnel attempted to prevent the American officer carrying the “nuclear football” from entering. A US official immediately reported to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, who intervened and instructed the delegation to proceed.
The situation briefly escalated when a Chinese security guard grabbed Kelly, and in response, a US agent pushed the guard to the ground. The head of the Chinese security ministry subsequently apologized for the “misunderstanding.”
Dr. Jing emphasized that the “nuclear football” involves US sovereignty, security, and command chains over nuclear weapons, constituting a critical aspect of US presidential command prerogatives. This command chain must never be disrupted for any reason, as it is a principle that cannot be violated and forms the baseline of US national security. Dr. Jing believed that the US’s response during the “nuclear football” incident showcased a mature diplomatic approach rather than oversensitivity, signifying a display of diplomatic maturity by a major power.
Dr. Jing stated that the US president represents not only himself but also the US constitutional system and bears the trust of global allies. As the embodiment of US military might, US currency, and nuclear command authority converge upon the US president, any sign of weakness, particularly submission to the CCP, is unacceptable.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Trump-Xi summit, Dr. Jing identified three influential factors affecting the summit’s arrangements. These include the on-site conditions shaping the psychological disposition and performance of Trump and Xi, the subsequent global opinion based on their interactions, and the impact of the summit on the future momentum of US-China negotiations.
In summary, Dr. Jing believed that as the Trump-Xi summit approaches, observers should not take a casual or mocking attitude but instead rigorously delve into the meanings behind each detail.
Similarly, Dr. Chen Wenjia, a Ph.D. from Osaka University of Commerce in Japan and Vice President of Kainan University, indicated that while The Wall Street Journal’s report may sound exaggerated at first, its logic is straightforward – preparing for the worst-case scenario in advance.
Dr. Chen noted that the current US-China relationship is delicate, with tensions persisting but not escalating into conflict. Both sides remain vigilant towards each other without severing ties. Overall, the situation involves a delicate balance of dialogue and defense, where meetings, even being poisoned, eavesdropped, or instigating conflict, must be meticulously planned in advance due to the lack of trust underlying the relationship.
Hence, Dr. Chen emphasized that the Trump-Xi summit is more than just diplomacy; it is a stress test. Given the high level of caution between the US and China, the ability to interact smoothly during the summit remains uncertain.
However, aside from the summit’s intricate details, the uncertainty of whether Trump’s visit will proceed as scheduled still looms. Prior to visiting China, Trump was engaged in the conflict with Iran, expressing the need to resolve the Iranian war before heading to Beijing. At present, the US has no definitive timeline for the war. Veteran media personality Li Su pointed out that the date of President Trump’s visit to China may experience variables due to the ongoing situation with Iran. If the conflict with Iran escalates, Trump may prioritize addressing US-China relations, but the situation remains fluid. Additionally, uncertainties between the US and China could potentially lead to a delay, cancellation, or advancement of the visit.
References:
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