China Daily Global Edition (USA)
Call for cooperation at gala
China, US should stress what they have in common, speakers say
China and the US have far more common interests than differences, President Xi Jinping said in a letter delivered to a US organization, and with cooperation the only right choice, China is ready to work with the US further to achieve a win-win outcome.
“Our relations have brought real benefits to our two peoples, and contributed significantly to peace, stability and prosperity of the world,” Xi wrote in a letter to the National Committee on US-China Relations, which was delivered by Chinese ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai during the Committee’s 2018 annual gala on Thursday in New York.
“China will not stop its reform,” said Xi in the letter, “and will open itself even wider. China’s development will bring more opportunities to the US and other countries.
“China is ready to work with the US to expand globalization and achieve a win-win outcome,” he added.
Founded in 1966, the committee has been devoted to facilitating understanding and cooperation.
With China and US reaching their 40th year of diplomatic relations and experiencing challenges to bilateral ties, Xi’s message was echoed among leaders from US business and politics attending the gala.
“I think we are now at the moment of fundamental importance of our history,” said Henry Kissinger, former US secretary of state, in a speech.
It’s not surprising that there’s disagreement between the two sides especially with the rapid development of the Chinese economy, said Kissinger, but the countries should form a unique pattern that stabilizes the relationship.
“A new pattern of economic relationships will emerge. Beyond that, China and the United States (should) find a way to a dialogue” to prepare for and overcome the challenges, he said. “I believe this is possible.”
“I hope that people from various sectors of our two countries will work together,” said Xi in the letter, to deliver effective actions to advance the bilateral relations along the right track, and deliver great benefits.
“In the end, it is the peoples of United States and China who will determine the future of the US-China relationship,” said Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on US-China Relations.
“Those bonds remain strong,” he said, bringing some brightness to the future of the bilateral relationship.
Achieving economic development and providing a better life for its people are China’s only goals, Cui Tiankai, China’s ambassador to the US, said in his remarks during the event. He said that it will need to cooperate with countries worldwide for a shared future, including the US.
“And of course in this process, the United States would be if not the most but one of the most important partners of China,” said Cui.
“This is fact, nobody can deny it,” he added.