In a bold address at the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) 2024 Gala Dinner in Washington, D.C., Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng cautioned against underestimating China’s economic strength and resilience.
“Underestimating China would be unwise,” Ambassador Xie declared, emphasizing that doomsaying about China’s future is baseless and that any attempt to contain China is destined to fail.
Highlighting the robust trajectory of China’s economy, Xie stated, “We are fully capable of ensuring overall economic stability and forestalling risks. Our high-quality development is moving forward with vigor, and there is great potential for the positive momentum to last.”
The ambassador expressed confidence in achieving this year’s growth targets and outlined plans for more proactive and impactful macroeconomic policies in the coming year. “Next year, we will prevent and resolve risks in key areas and external shocks,” he noted.
Amid rising global protectionism, Xie reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening comprehensive reforms and expanding high-standard opening up. He welcomed international businesses, including American enterprises, to participate in China’s development opportunities. “China will continue to be the top engine of global growth in the future. No force can muddy the ocean or stop its surging flow,” he asserted.
Xie cautioned that attempts to weaponize tariffs and build barriers would be counterproductive. “Building a ‘small yard, high fence’ could not stifle innovation and would only constrain oneself. Shutting China out in the name of de-risking poses the real risk to global industrial and supply chains,” he said. “Exploiting ‘national security’ as a convenient pretext for suppressing others is in itself causing insecurity.”
The ambassador concluded by stressing the importance of collaboration between China and the United States. “Only when China and the United States work together will both our countries and the world be safer and fare better,” he emphasized.
The USCBC Gala Dinner, attended by key figures from the business and policy communities, served as a platform for Ambassador Xie to convey China’s perspectives on economic cooperation and global development.
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Chinese ambassador to U.S. says underestimating China unwise
cgtn.com
