Key mission for China at Xi-Trump summit: learning who has his ear

Among the many items on the agenda for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit next week to the United States for his first meeting with US President Donald Trump, learning who to trust in Trump’s team and who has the president’s ear will be a key task , analysts say.

Following a period of great uncertainty since Trump was elected, China has learned to adopt new ways of communication in dealing with the unpredictable US leader, mainly through his trusted advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who is seen by Beijing officials as a “pragmatic” man, according to Chinese foreign policy experts.

“The communication between China and Kushner has so far been running smoothly,” said Wu Xinbo, director of the Centre for American Studies at Fudan University. “Kushner has been a core member of Trump’s administration. His attitude towards China is more pragmatic.”

This week’s meeting between Xi and Trump will be an important occasion for Beijing to observe and gather clues as to who is the most solid contact point in the Trump administration.

“China will need to pay attention to which side has more influence over Trump and how Trump views US relations with China,” Wu said.