Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on China and the United States to find the right path to coexist in the new era, emphasizing mutual respect and cooperation. His remarks came during a phone conversation on Friday with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, initiated at Rubio's request.
Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, highlighted the importance of recent communications between the two nations' leaders. He noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping had a significant phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump the previous Friday, during which both leaders reached several common understandings.
\"The development of China-U.S. relations has reached a new important juncture,\" Wang said. He added that President Xi elaborated on China's policy toward the United States, to which President Trump responded positively. \"President Trump expressed his desire to maintain good relations with President Xi and emphasized that when the United States and China work together, they can solve many problems in the world,\" Wang recounted.
Wang Yi stressed that the two countries need to implement the leaders' important common understandings by maintaining communication, managing differences, and expanding cooperation. He urged both sides to adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation to promote the steady, sound, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.
On the issue of Taiwan, Wang reiterated China's principled stance and urged the U.S. to handle the matter prudently. \"Taiwan has been part of China's territory since ancient times. We will never allow Taiwan to be split from China,\" he said. Wang emphasized that the United States has made solemn commitments to the one-China policy in the three China-U.S. joint communiqués and should not renege on them.
Marco Rubio acknowledged the significance of the China-U.S. relationship, stating that it is the most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century and 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.
He also affirmed 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 call, Wang Yi emphasized that major countries should act responsibly on the international stage. \"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,\" he said.
