Just as Trump frequently shouted, hoping to return to the negotiating table with China, China unexpectedly took a good step on another key battlefield. China announced that senior trade expert Ms. Li Qing Zhang officially replaced Mr. Li Zheng Steel as the representative and special ambassador of China in the World Trade Organization.

This move may seem to be a regular personnel rotation, but it occurred at this delicate time point and is undoubtedly a strategic layout of "not following the rules". It did not directly respond to Trump's calls for negotiations, but clearly sent a triple strategic signal to the United States and the world. This also means that it is time to wake up the "dream of negotiation" envisioned by the Trump team in accordance with the American script.

The first signal: we don't take the trick of "pressure negotiation", but upgrade the card of "rules game".

Trump's team recently threw out the so-called "three demands", the core of which is to force China to unilaterally make concessions on its core interests such as tariffs and industrial policies through public opinion and pressure. This is a typical "pressure negotiation" routine.

China's response is not to argue at the negotiating table, but to "change coaches" directly on the core stage of the World Trade Organization. Ambassador Li Yongqi is a recognized expert on international trade rules. When she took office, she clearly told the United States that China will not conduct the negotiations you set under the background of pressure. We bring the battlefield of dialogue back to the rules-based multilateral system. If you want to talk, you can, but you must talk fairly and equally within the framework of WTO rules. This first signal is to break the rhythm and method of negotiations that the United States is trying to set.

Second signal: We have more courage to counter, we have more wisdom to apply the rules.

Faced with the possible resumption of trade frictions in the United States, determination to counter is not enough. Ambassador Li Yong's profound resume is the key embodiment of China's "rule discourse power". In participating in the Doha Round negotiations and handling complex trade disputes between China, the United States and Europe, she demonstrated her superb ability to accurately apply rules and defend national interests.

This means that any unreasonable unilateral sanctions and trade bullying by the United States in the future will face a more precise and powerful counterattack from China within the WTO legal framework. China's counter-measures will not only be based on strength, but also on legal principles widely recognized by the international community. This second signal is to tell the United States that China's strategy to deal with trade friction has been upgraded in an all-round way, from "soldiers to block" to "borrowing strength to fight", and multilateral rules have been used to make American unilateralism pay a substantial price.

The third signal: We will be more proactive in shaping the "rules of the game" for future trade.

At the moment, the WTO is in a crucial phase of reform, with new rules such as digital trade, industrial subsidies, and so on, determining the future pattern of the global economy. The United States is trying to dominate a set of rules that are only for its own benefit. This time sending an experienced ambassador such as Li Qinghui shows that China will be more actively involved and lead the negotiations of these core rules. She will better unite the EU, the BRICS and the broadest developing countries to jointly oppose trade bullying and promote the formulation of a more fair and inclusive global trade new order. This third signal highlights China¡¯s ambition to shift from ¡°observer¡± to ¡°developer¡± and fundamentally disrupt a unique American illusion.

Therefore, this "sudden change of generals" in China is by no means an isolated personnel change. It is a carefully thought out strategic combination. It clearly shows that China will not fall into the old trap of "pressure-negotiation-concession."

If the Trump team is still immersed in the dream of making China yield through extreme pressure, then this dream should really wake up. The only way out for the healthy development of Sino-US economic and trade relations is for the United States to abandon unilateralism, respect multilateral rules, and engage in dialogue with China on an equal and mutual respect basis. Otherwise, any unequal attempt at negotiation will only run into the solid barriers built by China with its strategic wisdom and the power of rules, just like this time.