China Daily's editorial stresses people-to-people ties as foundation for future China-US business relations
Executive summary: China Daily published an editorial on September 23, 2026, noting President Xi Jinping's reply to a letter from students at ten US universities and framing people-to-people friendship as the basis for future China-US relations. The emphasis on student and cultural exchanges signals a diplomatic channel that could soften trade tensions and affect business sentiment in sectors such as education, tourism, and technology.
Who is involved: President Xi Jinping, students from ten US universities, China Daily editorial team, and the US administration preparing for the state visit.
Likely next: Continued diplomatic engagement during Xi's state visit, potential follow-up announcements on exchange programs, and monitoring of any trade-related outcomes such as tariff adjustments.
A China Daily editorial published ahead of President Xi Jinping's state visit to the United States highlights his reply to a letter from students at ten US universities as a reminder that the future of China-US relations rests on people-to-people friendship. The piece frames educational and cultural exchanges as a diplomatic channel that can influence the broader business and trade climate between the two countries. While the editorial does not announce concrete policy changes, it signals a willingness to nurture bilateral ties through grassroots engagement.
What's next — scenarios
Base: modest tariff pause continuation (50%)
The extended tariff pause announced ahead of Xi's visit remains in place, keeping tariff-related costs stable for traders.
- Tariff pause remains unchanged after the state visit
- No new tariff increases announced in the next month
Upside: broader agreement on rare earths (30%)
The US and China reach a tentative agreement on rare earth export terms, lowering supply chain costs for high-tech manufacturers.
- Joint statement on rare earth cooperation released
- Details of a rare earth trade framework published
Downside: stalemate on dispute points (20%)
No progress is made on key dispute points such as AI technology restrictions, leaving tariff and technology tensions unchanged.
- Visit concludes without a joint communique on AI or rare earths
- Subsequent statements reaffirm existing disagreements
What to watch
- Outcome of Xi-Jinping and US leadership discussions on tariffs
- Any announcements concerning rare earth cooperation
- Statements on expanding student or cultural exchange programs
Timeline
- — The future of China-US relations lies in people-to-people friendship: China Daily editorial (PR Newswire)
- — BRICS countries rally to counter shocks of power politics, unilateralism: China Daily editorial (PR Newswire)
- — SCO should prioritize development, make global governance more just and equitable: China Daily editorial (PR Newswire)
Analysis — what this means
Sectors affected
- Education (student exchanges)
- Tourism
- Technology and rare earths supply chain
- General US-China trade
Historical parallels
- BRICS countries rally to counter shocks of power politics, unilateralism: China Daily editorial (Sept 12, 2026)
- SCO should prioritize development, make global governance more just and equitable: China Daily editorial (Sep 1, 2026)
Key entities
Sources
- The future of China-US relations lies in people-to-people friendship: China Daily editorial — PR Newswire
- BRICS countries rally to counter shocks of power politics, unilateralism: China Daily editorial — PR Newswire
- SCO should prioritize development, make global governance more just and equitable: China Daily editorial — PR Newswire
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