Chinese foreign vice-minister set for US visit in ‘temperature test’ to pave way for Xi

Chinese foreign vice-minister Ma Zhaoxu is expected to head to the United States next week on a trip likely to lay the groundwork for President Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington later this year, the South China Morning Post has learned.

Sources familiar with the matter said Ma, who has played a prominent role in overseeing US-China relations, would be in Washington next week. According to the sources, a stop in Miami – host city of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in December – was also likely to be on the itinerary.

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly on the matter.

Ma’s trip would lend more certainty to Xi’s expected visit to the US, one that could bring greater stability to ties between the world’s two largest economies. Xi last visited the US in 2023, when he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco and held talks on the sidelines with then-president Joe Biden.

There is cautious optimism among analysts that near-term diplomatic engagements could help steady relations ahead of the expected September summit with US President Donald Trump.

“If Ma’s trip materialises, it will serve as a temperature check on US-China relations, potentially paving the way for positive surprises during President Xi’s visit in September,” said Feng Chucheng, founder and partner of Hutong Research, a Beijing-based strategic consultancy.