Beijing also seems willing to engage in diplomatic channels. China's US embassy confirmed last week that it is inviting foreign dignitaries — some of them American — to a September 3 ceremony in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II.

Trump received mostly negative ratings in a survey of 24 nations but few people had confidence in either Trump or Xi to do the right thing on world affairs.

Aides to Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have discussed a potential meeting between the leaders during a trip by the U.S. president to Asia later this year, according to two people familiar with the plans.