In a significant step towards fostering better relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, urging both nations to find the right way to get along in the new era.
Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping had an important phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump the previous Friday. During that conversation, the two leaders reached a series of common understandings, marking a pivotal moment in China-U.S. relations.
\"President Xi comprehensively elaborated on China's policy toward the United States, and President Trump made a positive response,\" Wang said. \"He looks forward to maintaining good relations with President Xi, emphasizing that the United States and China working together can solve many problems in the world.\"
Wang stressed that the development of China-U.S. relations has come to a new important juncture, with both nations needing to implement the leaders' significant common understandings. He called for maintaining communication, managing differences, and expanding cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. This approach aims to promote the steady, sound, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations and find the right way for the two countries to interact in the new era.
Addressing China's internal development, Wang emphasized that the leadership of the CPC is the choice of the Chinese people. \"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.\"
On the Taiwan question, Wang elaborated on China's principled position and urged the U.S. to handle it prudently. \"Taiwan has been part of China's territory since ancient times. We will never allow Taiwan to be split from China,\" he asserted. Wang reminded that the U.S. 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 the importance of the U.S.-China relationship, stating that both countries are great nations whose relationship 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,\" Rubio said.
Regarding Taiwan, 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.
Concluding the conversation, Wang emphasized that major countries should act in a manner befitting their status, shoulder international responsibilities, maintain world peace, and assist countries in achieving 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.
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Wang Yi urges China, U.S. to find right way to get along in new era
cgtn.com
