Track-two dialogue is unofficial diplomacy in which former officials, scholars and business figures freely discuss sensitive issues, serving as a buffer to find common ground and reduce misunderstanding when official talks stall.

Han is said to have expressed that a stable U.S.-China relationship should be built through dialogue and cooperation, stressing the need for relationship management amid continuing trade and technology friction.

The U.S. and China compete yet do not deny the need to cooperate on climate, the economy and people-to-people exchange, and behind-the-scenes coordination to prepare leader-level contact is under way.

Still, on core issues such as Taiwan, semiconductors and maritime disputes, views differ sharply. Keeping channels open and reaching actual agreement are different things.

Sinophone Bridge Times conveys the meeting as a signal of relationship management. The temperature of U.S.-China ties is not unrelated to the economic and daily environment of the Chinese community in Korea.