China’s Diplomatic Charm Offensive Masks Strategic Ambitions Against U.S. Interests

China recently declared 2026 as a potential "landmark year" for its relationship with the United States, signaling an optimistic tone ahead of a much-anticipated summit between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. But beneath this diplomatic veneer lies a calculated maneuver aimed at advancing Beijing’s global ambitions — often at the direct expense of American national interests and economic security. Is Beijing Offering Cooperation or Concealing Competition? Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the importance of high-level talks and framed China’s stance as "positive and open," calling on the U.S. to "meet us halfway." On the surface, these words suggest...