Ambassador: We’re better together with US
The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which opened on Wednesday in Beijing, will widen and strengthen the exchanges and cooperation between China and the United States and the rest of the world, Beijing’s top envoy to Washington, Cui Tiankai, said on Tuesday.
“History shows we are better together,” the Chinese ambassador wrote in an article published on USA Today’s website on Tuesday. “Let’s foster a relationship rooted in mutual respect and cooperation, not of confrontation and conflict.” Cui Tiankai, Chinese ambassador to the US
However, Cui said that conflict is not inevitable.
Since the end of World War II, major principles enshrined in Charter of the United Nations — such as equal sovereignty, international cooperation and collective security — have enabled a new world order that relies on norms and rules rather than wars and conflicts, he wrote.
“Today’s world is profoundly and increasingly interconnected by unprecedented globalization,” Cui wrote.
“The zero-sum mentality is outdated, and it is misleading to interpret the relationship between China and the US through the lens of the powershifting theory.”
China has put forward its own ideas, namely to nurture a fair and just world order, to foster a new model relationship with the US, and to build an international community with a shared future. These ideas aim to provide the greatest good for the greatest number of people, he said.
Let’s foster a relationship rooted in mutual respect and cooperation, not of confrontation and conflict.”
Global governance
China believes that global governance should be a joint effort, in which the interests of all parties are met through win-win cooperation. The key to improving global governance is enhancing representation and lending a voice to emerging markets and developing countries, Cui wrote.
“We realize that China’s future is inextricably tied to the health and well-being of the world, and the US is an invaluable component,” he said.
“The historical mission of our two countries is not the transfer of global dominance from one to the other, a misperception, which if allowed to persist, can lead to confrontation. We believe that China and the US should commit ourselves to fostering a new type of major-country relationship rooted in mutual respect and cooperation, rather than confrontation and conflict.”
Cui recalled that China and the US stood together in the international financial crisis and worked together for the world economic recovery.
“It should be well understood that cooperation is the only path, and problems should be solved through extensive collaboration,” Cui wrote.
“A sound and robust relationship will benefit not only the Chinese and American peoples, but also world peace, stability and prosperity.”
Cui also wrote that over the past year, the presidents of the two countries have maintained dialogue through meetings, telephone conversations and letters, setting the tone for China-US relations.