Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised China’s willingness to collaborate with the United States, recognising the need for both nations to manage their differences and jointly address global challenges. Xi conveyed this message while participating in an annual dinner hosted by the National Committee on United States-China Relations in New York. He underlined the significance of cultivating stable bilateral relations built upon principles like mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and mutually beneficial cooperation.
This call for improved relations comes ahead of an important diplomatic visit by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Washington, scheduled for later in the week. Wang’s visit is regarded as a crucial step in facilitating an anticipated meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and President Xi, set to take place during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco this coming November.
In recent months, high-ranking U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, engaged in discussions with their Chinese counterparts in Beijing. These dialogues primarily focused on preventing heightened competition between the world’s two largest economies from escalating into overt conflict. The United States’ primary objective has been to navigate contentious issues, such as trade disputes, matters concerning Taiwan, and territorial claims in the South China Sea, without allowing these disagreements to transform into hostilities.
Chinese analysts and observers anticipate that Foreign Minister Wang’s visit to the U.S. will serve as a stepping stone towards an eventual summit between the leaders of the two countries. They underscore the importance of Washington taking concrete actions to address Beijing’s concerns and demonstrate genuine commitment to the improvement of bilateral relations. This diplomatic exchange represents an invaluable opportunity for both China and the United States to explore the best way to cooperate and manage their differences. Such collaboration could significantly impact global stability and reinforce international cooperation.
Xi’s message is a reminder of the need for constructive engagement between the two nations as they strive to find common ground amidst their differences, ultimately contributing to a more peaceful and prosperous world.