The smiles that could be seen when United States President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a state visit were again on display hours later when he met with President Xi Jinping.

The world wants China and the US to be partners. Therefore, what people all over the globe want to see during this state visit is the identification of areas of cooperation that will advance bilateral stability between the two nations and boost global peace prospects. After the meeting, there is every reason to believe that such a framework is being created.

At one point, the Chinese president said that the two countries should work together to make 2026 "a historic and landmark year" for China-US relations.

Chinese officials have consistently noted that ideas such as mutual respect and win-win cooperation are essential ingredients of diplomacy in the modern world. The global community will respond positively knowing that respect was regularly on display during the state visit.

China has shown time and time again in recent years that it is committed to stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relations. Due to the "strategic guidance" that President Xi said both presidents could offer their governments and other officials, there is more reassurance.

This is exactly what the global community wanted to see: China and the US creating the necessary structure as they have agreed to work toward building a bilateral relationship of "constructive strategic stability" to make the world a better place.

As Xi said, the "constructive strategic stability" should be positive stability with cooperation as the mainstay, sound stability with moderate competition, constant stability with manageable differences, and enduring stability with promises of peace.

Such a structure is crucial at a time when the world is facing fragmentation, unilateralism, tensions and even wars.

The foundation for that structure? Willingness for cooperation; competition that is managed creatively and not destructively; an understanding that differences must be discussed openly; and a firm commitment to peace.

Similarities, not differences, should define the bilateral relationship and allow for a brighter future. Moving forward, it is incumbent on both governments to consistently deliver a message that as major powers, they are determined to be positive stewards for the world for this generation and future generations.

President Trump said that he expects a positive future for China-US relations as well. The global community will breathe easier if it is convinced that the two countries can work toward closer cooperation and more commitments in resolving differences, which will benefit bilateral relations and contribute to the stability of the world at large.

This state visit, if it remains on its trajectory, could very well be remembered for giving people the hope that new vision of constructive strategic stability will provide well-needed guidance for bilateral relations and the well-being of the international community.

While the atmosphere in Beijing was positive on Thursday, concrete results were expected to follow as the state visit continues.

It is important that the two sides first work through equal-footed consultations to bridge their differences and find more fields of common interest. As the Chinese president said in a meeting with US business leaders accompanying Trump, US businesses have been deeply involved in China's reform and opening-up, which benefits both sides. He promised that China's opening-up will be deepened, and China welcomes business cooperation from the US side on the basis of mutual benefit.

Moreover, what might a "historic and landmark year" look like? Imagine China and the US creating an environment in which they unceasingly work together to tackle the world's most challenging problems: global unrest, climate change, food insecurity, the potential for improper use of artificial intelligence, income inequality, the next world health crisis, barriers to free trade and more. Granted the two presidents will not find solutions to all of those issues in just two days, but they can — and so far have — set the right tone. Sustaining the positive momentum displayed at Thursday's meeting in Beijing will be critical. The world is eager to see that it does.

As always, the open hand of friendship prevails over confrontation and estrangement.

The author is an associate professor in the Communication and Organizational Leadership Department at Robert Morris University in the US state of Pennsylvania.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily or Robert Morris University.