Editorial | China doing its part to improve ties with US
- It can be seen as a positive sign that Beijing is sincere in trying to avoid further deterioration in relations with Washington, especially when it come to business
They are easily dashed if it does not result in headline breakthroughs in bilateral deadlocks and improvements in the tone of relations. But that discounts the value of incremental progress quietly achieved behind the scenes, as a new arrangement that has just come into effect to reduce the waiting time for American businesspeople and their families to travel to China.
This was one of the ambitious goals set by the top leaders in November. Xi said at that summit that China had agreed to upgrade the fast-track entry for US executives.
It was a significant gesture. This is not just because it set the China-US business relationship – strategic issues excepted – apart from geopolitical tension, but Covid-related conditions under China’s zero-tolerance policy are not ideal.
But we have the word of the Americans that China has begun delivering. The American Chamber of Commerce in China says the programme helps cut the time it takes for local authorities to issue invitations for travellers and their dependants to between five and 10 business days for eligible firms from up to two months.