Mutual respect will make China, US ‘excellent partners’

[chahlley]

(China Today Thursday 9 March 2017)

Mutual respect will make China, US ‘excellent partners’

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attending a news conference at the annual session

of the National People's Congress, in Beijing, China March 8, 2017.

Mr Wang said China and the United States should not seek to build one’s success

at the expense of the other, and get past the differences in their political systems. Photo: Reuters

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Published: 4:00 AM, March 9, 2017

BEIJING — China and the United States could become “excellent partners” if they have mutual respect and do not seek conflict with each other, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said yesterday.

Speaking at his annual news conference on the sidelines of the ongoing meeting of China’s Parliament, Mr Wang said the two sides should not seek to build one’s success at the expense of the other, and get past the differences in their political systems.

“The Chinese people have great confidence in our own social system and path,’’ he said, referring to the country’s system of one-party rule. “And we welcome efforts to build a better United States.”

Relations between the world’s two largest economies have faced new uncertainties after US President Donald Trump accused China of unfair trade policies, criticising its island-building in the strategic South China Sea and accusing it of not doing enough to constrain its neighbour, North Korea.

Mr Trump also angered Beijing in December by talking to the President of Taiwan and saying the US did not have to stick to the One China policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China, and self-ruled Taiwan is part of it.

Additionally, Washington’s pursuit of an “America first” foreign policy has raised questions whether Beijing would be trying to fill the void if the US relinquishes its traditional global leadership role.

However, Mr Wang said yesterday that Beijing did not seek such a role. “China believes in the equality of all countries, large and small, and we don’t believe some countries should lead others,” he said.

On current Sino-US relations, Mr Wang said the two countries’ ties are transitioning steadily and moving in a positive direction after “close communications”, including a phone call in January between Mr Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Mr Xi Jinping.

During the phone call, Mr Trump told Mr Xi that he will respect the One China policy, a move which eased tensions between the world powers.

The two sides are preparing for a face-to-face meeting between the two heads of state, Mr Wang added. AGENCIES