Perspectives on the importance of Xi-Biden summit

Both (Joe) Biden and Xi (Jinping) understand ultimately, all major world issues will land at their doorsteps, and it is imperative they transcend their differences and address them. Henry Ford once proclaimed: "Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success."

The world needs our collective success. The world has witnessed the value we have jointly produced when we work together. It was positive to see the tensions between our two nations turned down several notches. It is imperative that we find ways to maintain an open dialogue, focusing on the "seven C's" — communication, collaboration, cooperation, coordination and competition — while avoiding unnecessary confrontations and conflict.

Relationships are built on trust. We have witnessed a San Francisco thaw of the chilly relationship. We need more engagement, not less, to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation. I hope to see more people-to-people and subnational connections reestablished around culture, education and local governments.