Beijing, October 2023 — China has urged the United States to provide greater support and convenience for people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the call during a meeting with Evan Greenberg, Chair of the National Committee on United States-China Relations (NCUSCR), and Stephen Orlins, President of the NCUSCR, in Beijing on Tuesday.
Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized the importance of fostering mutual understanding and cooperation. He expressed hope that the NCUSCR would continue to play a constructive role in promoting exchanges between the peoples of China and the U.S., thereby advancing the sound and stable development of bilateral relations.
The significance of people-to-people connections was also highlighted by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome dinner hosted by the NCUSCR and other U.S. organizations in San Francisco last November. President Xi reflected on the history of exchanges between the two countries, stating, “The hope of the China-U.S. relationship lies in the people. Its foundation is in the societies; its future depends on the youth, and its vitality comes from exchanges at subnational levels.”
In a demonstration of this commitment, President Xi announced China’s readiness to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs over the next five years. This initiative aims to deepen mutual understanding and build bridges between the younger generations of both countries.
Greenberg and Orlins noted that President Xi’s visit to San Francisco was a great success, setting a new tone and direction for China-U.S. relations. They remarked that the program engaging young Americans is highly popular and serves as a positive step toward strengthening ties.
However, Wang Yi pointed out challenges in the bilateral relationship. He noted that the U.S. perceives China as its main strategic competitor and most consequential geopolitical challenge, which he identified as the crux of current tensions. Such misperceptions, Wang said, have led to difficulties in translating commitments made by U.S. leaders into tangible actions, hindering the relationship’s progress.
Both Greenberg and Orlins acknowledged the critical importance of the U.S.-China relationship, describing it as one of the most significant bilateral relationships globally. They emphasized that maintaining communication and engagement is essential for ensuring that the relationship moves in a constructive direction, benefiting not just the two nations but the entire world.
“The U.S.-China relationship started with engagement, which does not mean compromise but is the only way for the sound and correct development of relations between the two countries,” they said. The NCUSCR expressed readiness to continue playing an active role in promoting exchanges and fostering mutual understanding.
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China urges U.S. to do more to facilitate people-to-people exchanges
cgtn.com
