BEIJING: The U.S. and China are the world’s two largest economies. It’s vital that these two countries have a shared vision of common prosperity and a win-win outlook, as their ties are important to global economic development and security. However, there has been an interruption to bilateral relations because of the pandemic, protectionism and the trade war in recent years. Mistrust and insecurity have risen and so we need to work toward reconciliation.
When Richard Nixon met Chairman Mao Zedong in Beijing in 1972, it was such a momentous event. China was very popular in the United States. Then when Deng Xiaoping came to the United States in 1979, he was received as a grand figure. It was a moment coming out of a very confrontational period that became a high point in U.S.-China relations.
Today, China’s official position remains to pursue a shared future, win-win solutions, and mutually beneficial trade. But there is mistrust in America toward China, a fear of China’s rise or alleged aggressiveness. When China says, “We don’t want a confrontational relationship,” the U.S. responds that, “This is competition” or “This is a confrontation,” and dismisses China’s approach.
For China, peace and security are based on mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.
–The Daily Mail-Beijing Review news exchange item
