TIES STABILIZE WHILE NEGATIVE UNDERCURRENTS DEEPEN.

US-China relations were marked by a paradox during the first trimester of 2024. On the one hand, a distinct stabilization was evident in ties. The two sides made concerted efforts to translate their leaders' 'San Francisco Vision' into reality. Cabinet officials exchanged visits across the Pacific, working groups and dialogue mechanisms met in earnest and produced outcomes, functional cooperation was deepened, sensitive issues such as Taiwan were carefully managed, and effort was devoted to improving the relationship's political optics. On the other hand, the negative tendencies in ties continued to deepen. Both sides introduced additional selective decoupling as well as cybersecurity measures in key information and communications technology and services sectors, with US actions bearing the signs of desinicization--rather than mere decoupling--of relevant supply chains. The chasm in strategic perception remained as wide as before. In sum, the "new normal" in US-China relations continued to take form, one piece at a time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]