U.S. President Barack Obama (L) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Photo : Reuters)
Not only do Xi Jinping and Barack Obama sit in the top offices of the world's two most powerful economies, but they jointly hold a historic record for the longest engagement between world leaders after they previously extended talks to a 10-hour time frame.
Stop and consider that properly for a moment: These are two presidents who are prominent on the global stage, and they currently hold a world record because of the intensive nature of their past engagement in a formal, one-on-one discussion.
While it is likely that most world leaders of their stature would be in the record books for some kind of conflict or something superfluous, President Xi and President Obama will be documented for time eternal because they chose to spend more time in each other's company, discussing political matters of a highly significant nature.
In light of this knowledge, this week's announcement of a September meeting between the two should fill the global public with an overriding sense of hope and contentment--especially because of the recent Dalai Lama issue.
Of course, it is important to make sure that one is not wearing "rose-colored" lenses when assessing this major political situation, but, as the Global Times highlighted on Thursday, it is worth noting that Washington and Beijing have managed to avoid sliding into a messy confrontation thus far. Instead, as the Times' editorial reads, "they are making efforts to improve mutual trust."
Furthermore, the article recognizes that the two leaders are responsible for an "arduous" task, whereby they must "develop a new type of major power relationship and maintain constructive strategic engagement."
If history is as valuable as many believe it to be, then the outcome of September's meeting should serve to inspire the people of the world, as a promising development is established in the relationship of the top superpowers.
With seven months until President Xi arrives on the steps of the White House, there is certainly time for both sides to prepare.
