‘Only right option’ for China-US relations
CHINA and the United States share more mutual benefits than differences and cooperation is the only right option for both countries, said a spokesman for the annual session of China’s national legislature yesterday.
The stable development of Sino-American ties serves the fundamental interests of people of both countries and is much anticipated by the international community, Zhang Yesui, former Chinese ambassador to the United States and spokesman for the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress, told a press conference.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Washington would impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and 10 percent for aluminum, raising concerns of escalating trade tension.
“China doesn’t want a trade war with the US, but if any US moves hurt China’s interests, we will not sit idle,” said Zhang.
He pointed out that certain frictions are natural given the huge bilateral trading volume, while economic and trade ties between the countries are essentially mutually beneficial.
It’s normal for China and the US to have different ideas on certain issues, but such differences do not necessarily lead to confrontation, Zhang said.
The right approach is to open up market to each other and work together to find solutions acceptable to both parties through dialog and consultation, he added.
Liu He, a senior Chinese economic and financial official, met with US counterparts last week, and they have agreed that the two countries should settle their trade disputes by cooperation rather than confrontation. The two sides also agreed to talk about related issues in Beijing in the near future.
It’s imperative for two countries to perceive each other’s strategic intentions objectively and accurately. Policies formed by misjudgment or wrong presumption will bring about consequences neither side wants, Zhang said.
China stands ready to work with the US to follow through the consensus and outcomes reached by the two countries’ leaders last year and work with mutual respect and strategic trust to properly handle differences and keep bilateral ties on track, he added.