Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on China and the United States to find the right way to coexist in a new era during a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, at the latter's request.
Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, highlighted that Chinese President Xi Jinping had an important phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump last Friday, during which they reached a series of common understandings.
\"The development of China-U.S. relations has reached a new important juncture,\" Wang stated.
He conveyed that President Xi comprehensively elaborated on China's policy toward the United States, and President Trump responded positively, expressing his desire to maintain good relations with President Xi. Trump emphasized that the United States and China working together can solve many global problems.
\"The two heads of state have pointed out the direction and set the tone for China-U.S. relations,\" Wang noted.
He urged both countries to implement the leaders' important common understandings by maintaining communication, managing differences, and expanding cooperation. This approach should be in line with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, aiming to promote the steady, sound, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations and find the right way for the two countries to get along in the new era.
Wang emphasized that the leadership of the CPC is the choice of the Chinese people and that China's development is driven by strong internal dynamism and historical logic.
\"Our goal is to deliver a better life for the people and make more contributions to the world,\" he said. \"We have no intention of surpassing or replacing anyone, but we must defend our legitimate right to development.\"
Addressing the Taiwan question, Wang elaborated on China's principled position and urged the U.S. side to handle it prudently.
He stressed that Taiwan has been part of China's territory since ancient times. \"We will never allow Taiwan to be split from China,\" Wang asserted.
Wang pointed out that the United States has made solemn commitments to abide by the one-China policy in the three China-U.S. joint communiques and should not renege on them.
In response, Rubio acknowledged that the United States and China are two great countries, and their relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the 21st century, which will determine the future of the world.
The United States hopes to have candid communication with China, resolve differences, manage the bilateral relationship in a mature and prudent manner, and work together to address global challenges and maintain peace and stability in the world, he said.
Rubio stated that the United States does not support \"Taiwan independence\" and hopes that the Taiwan question can be resolved peacefully in a manner acceptable to both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Wang concluded by emphasizing that big countries should act in a manner befitting their status, shoulder their international responsibilities, maintain world peace, and help countries achieve common development.
\"I hope you will act accordingly and play a constructive role for the future of the people of China and the United States, as well as for the peace and stability of the world,\" Wang said.
Reference(s):
Wang Yi urges China, U.S. to find right way to get along in new era
cgtn.com
