In a notable address at the U.S.-China Business Council’s 2024 Gala Dinner in Washington, D.C., Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng emphasized that underestimating China would be unwise, stating that doomsaying about China is baseless and any attempt to contain China is bound to fail.
Speaking on Wednesday night, Ambassador Xie outlined the resilience and potential of China’s economy. “The Chinese economy is on a generally steady, sound, and upward trajectory,” he declared. “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.”
Xie likened China’s economic journey to braving wind and rain, asserting that such experiences have forged a robust economy capable of weathering challenges. He expressed confidence in achieving this year’s growth targets and indicated that next year would see more proactive and impactful macroeconomic policies. “We will prevent and resolve risks in key areas and external shocks,” he added.
The ambassador conveyed a strong message about China’s role in global growth. “China will continue to be the top engine of global growth in the future,” he stated. “No force can muddy the ocean or stop its surging flow.”
Amid rising protectionism, Xie reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening comprehensive reforms and expanding high-standard opening up. He emphasized the importance of advancing sound and steady China-U.S. economic and trade relations and welcomed international businesses, including American firms, to share in China’s development opportunities.
Xie cautioned against the pitfalls of protectionist policies. “Attempts to weaponize tariffs would only cause one to isolate itself from other markets and lose out on opportunities,” he warned. “Building ‘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. Exploiting ‘national security’ as a convenient pretext for suppressing others is in itself causing insecurity.”
He concluded with a call for cooperation 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,” Xie affirmed.
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Chinese ambassador to U.S. says underestimating China unwise
cgtn.com
