Both sides are paying more attention to the relationship and trying to define and shape it. But without any urgent issues demanding attention, this visit was always going to be exploratory, not defining.

There will still be trade disputes with the Bush administration, but it's unlikely these disputes will increase. The same goes for human rights.

Verification is definitely a problem. But to reach a new agreement they need progress, and today's statement is progress.

The responsible elite in China has no intention of picking a fight with the United States. But no one has much hope that the two countries can develop deep feelings of trust, either.

I think the Chinese side is eager to have normal military-to-military ties with the American Army.

These speeches are an appeal to the American public. He wants to show that China's development is peaceful, that China is a responsible stake-holder.

He won't really emerge as his own leader until the next party congress.