BEIJING — For President Donald Trump, global power may boil down to the United States and China — what he calls the “G2,” or Group of Two. But China is less enamored with the idea, at least publicly.
In 2005, American economist C. Fred Bergsten introduced the concept of “G2”, a special edition of the Group of 7 or Group of 20 forums. Although it was initially embraced by some policymakers, the idea fell out of favor in Washington amid rising tensions with Beijing, including during Trump’s first term.
However, last fall, Trump repeatedly used the term “G2” to refer to a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea without saying how the “G2” world order would work in practice. He is set to meet Xi again when he travels to China later this month.
As for China, Trump’s casual use of “G2” is an acknowledgment of its growing power, implying that the US and China are global peers and have an equal say in international affairs. But for US allies, it raises fears that Washington and Beijing could distance themselves from key decisions and make deals that work against their interests.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, sought to allay such fears at a news conference Sunday on the sidelines of China’s annual legislative session in Beijing.
“There is no doubt that China and the US have a significant influence on the world. But we must not forget that there are more than 190 countries on our planet,” he responded to a question from NBC News. “World history has always been written by many nations together, and the future of humanity will be shaped by the collective efforts of all nations.”
The “G2” concept has been a thorn in China’s side, resisting the idea that major powers should direct most of its diplomacy in the global South to minor powers. It is unwilling to take on more responsibility for global governance if it is drawn into conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere that have disrupted the US.
Wang said China “never seeks hegemony or expansion” and wants to build an “equal and orderly multipolar world”.
“Looking back in history, great power rivalry and factional confrontation have invariably inflicted disaster and pain on humanity,” he said. “Therefore, China will never take the beaten path of seeking hegemony as its power grows. Nor do we subscribe to the logic that the world can be run by major countries.”
Although the questions and answers at Wang’s annual news conference were coordinated in advance, it was a rare opportunity to hear directly from China’s highest-ranking officials. Their answers indicate how China sees its place in the world and its relationship with other countries, including the US
US-China relations “have far-reaching and global implications,” Wang said.
“Turning our backs on each other leads to mutual misunderstanding and miscalculation,” he said. “A collision or a slip into a collision can drag the whole world down.”
Although US-China relations have been tested by Trump’s global tariffs, he often speaks of his “great relationship” with Xi and has spoken to him twice by phone since their October meeting.
“It is heartening to see that the presidents of the two countries have led by example by maintaining good dialogue at the highest level,” Wang said. “They have provided important strategic safeguards for improving and moving forward the Sino-US relationship, and they have brought our relationship back to balance after ups and downs.”
Trump and Xi are set to meet four times this year, with Trump’s three-day trip to China starting March 31, the White House said.
Xi is then expected to reciprocate with a visit to the US, and he may attend the G20 summit in Miami in December. In November, Trump may attend the China-hosted Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen.
Wang said 2026 will be a “big year” for US-China relations.
“A high-level exchange agenda is already on the table,” he said. “What both parties need to do now is to make thorough preparations accordingly, create an appropriate environment, manage existing risks and remove unnecessary obstacles.”
One potential obstacle to the Trump-Xi summit is the ongoing US-Israeli offensive in Iran, which has close ties to China.
On Sunday, Wang reiterated Beijing’s calls for an immediate halt to military action and a return to talks, saying a war with Iran would “do no one any good”.
“Seeing the Middle East engulfed in flames, I want to say this is a war that shouldn’t happen,” he said. “This is a war that does no one any good.”
Wang also rejected “abuse of force” and violations of international law.
“The law of the jungle must not come back and rule the world,” he said. “Deliberate use of force does not prove one’s power.”
