China and the U.S. cannot be anymore different.
While the former is the powerhouse of the East, the latter is the mighty nation of the West.
For this reason, the geopolitical landscape between the two countries is complex. The interactions and dynamics between these major players have far-reaching implications, and for more than many times, both countries find themselves in a competitive relationship, both economically and strategically.
But even though both China and the U.S. are rivals in almost everything, there is at least one thing that can make an enemy smile.
Everyone has a past they hold on dear, and bringing that up can certainly bring back memory.
This time, an old photo of Chinese leader Xi Jinping posing at the Golden Gate Bridge is becoming one of the most talked-about things on China's social media.
It all began when Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden met at the Filoli Estate, a country house set in 16 acres of formal gardens in San Francisco, California.
At the time, the world was watching with great anticipation as Xi Jinping and Joe Biden met for the first time in San Francisco since Biden took office.
This historic meeting comes at a critical moment when the relations between the two largest economies and rivals are fraught with tension and mistrust over a host of issues, ranging from trade and human rights to Taiwan and cybersecurity.
The meeting also coincides with the 30th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, which was scheduled to address the pressing challenges of the pandemic, climate change, and regional integration.
Both leaders have expressed their willingness to have frank, constructive, and substantive discussions on areas of common interest and concern, and to seek ways to manage differences and avoid conflicts.
China has emphasized that the meeting should be based on mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, and that the U.S. should respect China's core interests and major concerns, and refrain from interfering in China's internal affairs.
The U.S. has stated that the meeting is an opportunity to explore areas of cooperation, and to communicate clearly on the U.S. position and expectations on a range of issues.
Because this meeting involves two powerhouses, the outcome of the meeting could have far-reaching implications for the future of the bilateral relations and the global order.
It was during their two's encounter, than Biden pointed to a photo from his phone, which depicts an old photo of a young man with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background
"Do you know this young man?" asked Biden to Xi Jinping.
"Oh yes," replied Xi Jinping, "this was me 38 years ago."
To Xi Jinping, San Francisco is special.
It was part of his first maiden trip to the U.S. During the spring of 1985, Xi Xinping was a Communist Party county leader at Zhengding in China's northern province of Hebei.
At that year, during the year when "Like a Virgin" by Madonna was on the top list and among others, it was also the Golden Gate Bridge's 48th anniversary. The iconic bridge is a symbol of San Francisco and at the time, it was celebrating its rich history, and it's very obvious for young Xi Jinping to visit the iconic landmark to take a photo.
Among whatever fond memories he may have during his first-ever visit to the U.S., the photo of him wearing a jacket, a V-neck sweater and a tie at the Golden Gate Bridge certainly stands out.
He probably didn't know that he would someday become the leader of his country.
But what is certain, his 1985 trip helped him to get to know America.
He is said to have "fostered friendships with American people" from that moment on.
And this indirectly helped him with his career as a politician.
When the photo of the young Xi Jinping went viral on social media, more information regarding the background of the photo was revealed.
For example, it's said that Xi Jinping was staying with a Muscatine family in a bedroom decorated with Star Trek items. Xi Jinping also watched a basketball game, and attended a hog roast, and also attended a birthday party.
Xi Jinping's visit to San Francisco, is believed to be a layover.
His business was actually visiting Muscatine, Iowa, where he was to see the local agriculture industry. He stayed in Iowa while serving on a foreign delegation from Hebei.
Xi Jinping was 31 at the time.
It's also reported that the Chinese President has kept in touch with at least a few people from back then.
In fact, some of those friends from have been invited to a dinner, and called them "old friends."
Since 1985, Xi has visited the U.S. for several times
Two of his most recent, was in 2017, where he met with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Before that, Xi Jinping visited the U.S. in 2015, where he was hosted by former President Barack Obama.
San Francisco is not a typical destination for a sitting Chinese leader to visit. But it's not unheard of.
The last Chinese leader to have visited San Francisco, was Hu Jintao, who visited the city in 2002.