WASHINGTON: In retrospect, the year 2020 has regrettably seen China-U.S. relations being trapped in a downward spiral amid the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past year, by smearing China’s anti-epidemic efforts, interfering in China’s internal affairs and sanctioning Chinese hi-tech companies, Washington hawks have dragged down relations between the two countries to the lowest point since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.
For the benefits of the two countries as well as the whole world, the time has come to reset the right course of the giant vessel of the China-U.S. relationship and steer clear of disruptions for its smooth sailing.
Risks and challenges facing the global community are unprecedented. China and the United States, as the world’s two major countries, need to work together with each other as well as the rest of the world to overcome difficulties, meet challenges and pursue development. Defeating the COVID-19 pandemic requires joint efforts of the international community. Countries with stronger capabilities, such as the United States and China, should shoulder greater responsibilities and lead by example.
Leading the world with most COVID-19 cases and deaths, the United States is still grappling with the continuous resurgence of the pandemic, while China, the country that sounded the first alarm, has effectively controlled the spread of the virus domestically, gaining considerable clinical experience in containing the virus.
It is thus evident that by cooperating in areas such as treatment, vaccine and the supply of critical medical equipment, China and the United States as responsible members of the international community will contribute more to the global fight against the pandemic.
In addition, as the world economy is staggering along amid the pandemic, the world’s top two economies need to stabilize their economic and trade ties to help get the global economy back on the track of growth at an early date. –PNP
