Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged China and the United States to discover the right path to coexist in the new era during a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. The call, initiated at Rubio's request, emphasized the importance of steering bilateral relations towards mutual respect and cooperation.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, highlighted a recent significant phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump. During that conversation, the two leaders reached several common understandings, setting the tone for future China-U.S. relations.
\"The development of China-U.S. relations has reached a new important juncture,\" Wang stated. He noted that President Xi comprehensively elaborated on China's policy towards the United States, and President Trump responded positively. Trump expressed his anticipation of maintaining good relations with President Xi and emphasized that cooperation between the United States and China could solve many global challenges.
Wang stressed the need for both nations to implement the leaders' important 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 domestic priorities, Wang stated that the leadership of the CPC is the choice of the Chinese people and that China's development follows a clear historical logic driven by strong internal dynamism. \"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 the matter prudently. He emphasized that Taiwan has been part of China's territory since ancient times. \"We will never allow Taiwan to be split from China,\" Wang declared. He reminded 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, determining the future of the world. He expressed the U.S. hope 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.
\"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,\" said Rubio.
Concluding the conversation, Wang emphasized that major countries should act in a manner befitting their status, shoulder their due 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
