'China is equal to US': Former PLA colonel brands Trump visit a domestic win
WASHINGTON, DC: A former senior Chinese military official said Beijing increasingly sees itself on equal footing with the United States, while also framing President Donald Trump's visit to China as a domestic win for Chinese leadership.
The remarks came just hours before Trump’s high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a summit widely viewed as a key moment in US-China relations. The talks unfold against a backdrop of strategic rivalry, where both sides continue to balance competition, cooperation, and messaging around global influence.
Beijing frames US as equal competitor, not adversary
Zhou Bo, a former senior colonel in China’s People’s Liberation Army, told Fox News' Bret Baier that China does not see the United States as an enemy, but as a competitor on equal footing.
“We are not your enemy,” Zhou said, arguing that the relationship is better defined by competition rather than confrontation.
He also pointed to the optics of Trump’s visit, saying it is being used inside China as proof of the country’s rising global standing. He added that the presence of a US president in Beijing is being framed domestically as a political win for the leadership.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has also previously called for a “new chapter” in US-China relations, urging cooperation over confrontation despite ongoing disputes.
Thucydides trap shapes US-china rivalry narrative
The summit comes amid renewed discussion of the Thucydides Trap, a theory suggesting war becomes more likely when a rising power challenges an established one.
The concept, rooted in ancient Greek history, is frequently cited in analyses of US-China tensions as Beijing’s global influence expands.
Taiwan tensions and global flashpoints remain central
Zhou also addressed broader geopolitical issues, including instability in the Persian Gulf and its impact on global energy flows. He said China has an interest in regional stability, even if current disruptions remain manageable due to long-term planning.
On Taiwan, Zhou said the issue remains a core priority for Beijing and is expected to feature prominently in high-level discussions.
He added that any US shift toward explicitly opposing Taiwan independence would be seen as a significant policy change in Beijing.
As the summit continues, early signals suggest cautiously constructive engagement, even as major strategic differences between Washington and Beijing remain firmly in place.
