BEIJING \u2014 For President Donald Trump<\/a>, global power may boil down to the United States and China<\/a> \u2014 what he calls the \u201cG2,\u201d or Group of Two. But China is less enamored with the idea, at least publicly.<\/p>\n The concept of a \u201cG2\u201d \u2014 a more exclusive version of the Group of 7 or Group of 20<\/a> forums \u2014 was introduced in 2005 by American economist C. Fred Bergsten to underscore the importance of communication between the world\u2019s two biggest economies. Though it was initially embraced by some policymakers, the idea fell out of favor in Washington amid rising tensions with Beijing, including during Trump\u2019s first term.<\/p>\n Last fall, however, Trump repeatedly used the term \u201cG2\u201d to refer to his meeting<\/a> with Chinese President Xi Jinping <\/a>in South Korea<\/a> without saying how a \u201cG2\u201d world order would work in practice. He is set to meet with Xi again when he travels to China later this month.<\/p>\n For China, Trump\u2019s casual use of \u201cG2\u201d is an acknowledgment of its growing power, suggesting that the U.S. and China are global peers and should have equal say in international affairs. But for U.S. allies, it raises fears that Washington and Beijing could cut them out of important decision-making and make deals that work against their interests.<\/p>\n Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi<\/a>, China\u2019s top diplomat, sought to allay such fears Sunday at a news conference on the sidelines of China\u2019s annual legislative session<\/a> in Beijing.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no doubt that China and the U.S. have a significant impact on the world. But we should not forget there are more than 190 countries on our planet,\u201d he said in response to a question from NBC News. \u201cWorld history has always been written by many countries together, and the future of humanity will be forged through the collective efforts of all nations.\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201cG2\u201d concept is a thorny one for China, which bases much of its diplomacy in the Global South on opposing the idea that major powers should dictate to smaller ones. It is also reluctant to take on more responsibility for global governance if it means being drawn into conflicts in the Middle East<\/a> and elsewhere that have stymied the U.S.<\/p>\n Wang said China will \u201cnever seek hegemony or expansion,\u201d and that it wants to build \u201can equal and orderly multipolar world.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLooking back in history, great power rivalry and bloc confrontation have invariably inflicted disaster and pain on humanity,\u201d he said. \u201cTherefore, China will never take the beaten path of seeking hegemony as its strength grows. Nor do we subscribe to the logic that the world can be run by major countries.\u201d<\/p>\n Though the questions and answers at Wang\u2019s annual news conference are coordinated in advance, it is a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of China\u2019s highest-ranking officials. His answers signal how China sees its position in the world and its relations with other countries, including the U.S.<\/p>\n U.S.-China relations have \u201cfar-reaching and global implications,\u201d Wang said.<\/p>\n \u201cTurning our backs on each other would only lead to mutual misperception and miscalculation,\u201d he said. \u201cSliding into conflict or confrontation could drag the whole world down.\u201d<\/p>\n Though U.S.-China relations have been tested by Trump\u2019s global tariffs<\/a>, he often talks about his \u201cgreat relationship\u201d with Xi and has spoken with him twice by phone since their October meeting.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is heartening to see that the presidents of the two countries have led by example, by maintaining good interactions at the top level,\u201d Wang said. \u201cThey have provided important strategic safeguard for the China-U.S. relationship to improve and move forward, and they have brought their relationship back on an even keel after the ups and downs.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump and Xi are set to meet up to four times this year, starting with a three-day trip to China by Trump that the White House says will start March 31. <\/p>\n Xi is then expected to reciprocate with a trip to the U.S., and he could also attend the G20 summit in Miami in December. In November, Trump may attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that China is hosting in Shenzhen.<\/p>\n 2026 is a \u201cbig year\u201d for U.S.-China relations, Wang said. <\/p>\n \u201cThe agenda of high-level exchanges is already on the table,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat the two sides need to do now is to make thorough preparations accordingly, create a suitable environment, manage the risks that do exist and remove unnecessary disruptions.\u201d<\/p>\n One potential disruption to the Trump-Xi summit is the ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran, which has close ties with China<\/a>.<\/p>\n On Sunday, Wang reiterated Beijing\u2019s calls for an immediate halt to military action and a return to dialogue, saying the war with Iran \u201cdoes no one any good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeeing the Middle East engulfed in flames, I want to say that this is a war that should not have happened,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is a war that does no one any good.\u201d<\/p>\n Wang also rejected the \u201cabuse of force\u201d and violations of international law.<\/p>\n \u201cThe law of the jungle must not return and rule the world,\u201d he said. \u201cWillful use of force does not prove one\u2019s strength.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_focal-760x428,f_auto,q_auto:best\/mpx\/2704722219\/2025_10\/1761865478851_nn_kod_Trump_China_251030_1920x1080-z1xj9i.jpg\")
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