（September 12, 2024, New York）

Mr. Qu Yingpu, China Daily Publisher and  Editor-in-Chief,
Ambassador Terry Branstad,
Madame Sarah Lande,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to join you here at the Vision China. In this 45th anniversary year of China-US diplomatic relationship, it is so important to discuss the past and the future with friends both old and young.

In the beginning of this year, President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden exchanged congratulatory letters on the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. President Xi pointed out that, over the past 45 years, despite the ups and downs, the China-U.S. relationship has on the whole moved forward, which has not only enhanced the well-being of the two peoples, but also promoted world peace, stability and prosperity. 

History provides us inspirations to look ahead to the future. For the past 50 years, the reopening and development of China-US relations was the most important event in international relations and the biggest contributor to global peace and prosperity. For the next 50 years, finding the right way for China and the US to get along with each other will be critical to international relations. It is what both nations and the international community need the most. 

For China and the US, mutual respect and mutual trust are the foundation for dialogue as equals. From the first days of contact, China and the US chose to seek harmony and common ground while acknowledging differences. The Shanghai Communiqué established the basic guiding principles, stating that “the social systems and foreign policies of China and the U.S. differ fundamentally. However, both sides agreed that regardless of social systems, all countries should handle their relations based on respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.” 

For the two countries to engage with each other, the “position of strength”approach is not the correct way. Instead, equality and mutual respect are the right way forward: China and the US must respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, social system and path of development, and acknowledge differences in history, culture, and national realities.

Mutual benefit is the defining feature of China-US relationship, neither has taken advantage of the other. Forty-five years ago, it was shared interests that opened the door of China-U.S. relations after decades of estrangement. China had labor and markets, while the U.S. had technology and capital. The two sides had a lot to offer to each other. Over the past 45 years, two-way investments have grown from almost nothing to $260 billion, and bilateral trade has surged from less than $2.5 billion to over $660 billion. 

Both countries have gained substantial benefits along the way. Today, China is one of the top three export markets for 32 US states, and over 70,000 American companies have invested and established businesses in China. US exports to China alone support 930,000 jobs in the U.S. According to the latest surveys, 72% of American companies expect their profit margins in China this year to meet or exceed the global average, and 80% plan to use the profits to reinvest. Cooperation remains the only viable choice for both countries, and helping each other succeed is the path to a brighter future.

For China and the US, mutual understanding and accommodation is crucial, because neither can bring down the other. The history of China-US relationship in the past 45 years, especially the ups and downs in recent years tell us that pressure, sanctions, isolation, containment and blockade don’t serve the purpose. Rather, they bring self-inflicted trouble and require extra work to offset the unwanted results.

Conflict and confrontation serve no one’s interest. Dialogue and consultation are the better way forward. Politicization, imposing prescriptions on others for one’s own illness and overstretching “national security” concept lead to nowhere. 

Playing “China card” for domestic politics, making an issue of China, consuming China-US relationship, spreading disinformation to produce “chilling effect” or resurrecting McCarthyism will only sharpen division. Non-conflict and non-confrontation is the bottom line and the biggest peace dividend that our two countries can bring to humanity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

History is like a never-stopping river. Sometimes it is calm, sometimes it has churning currents. Over the past 45 years, China-US relations have not been smooth sailing, but have gone through challenging times. 

Yes, history sometimes runs its own course, but the mankind has the agency. We should make the right choice in keeping with the prevailing trend of history, and steer China-US relations through storms toward a brighter future. 

In a fast changing world, China will continue to serve as a source of stability for the world and the bilateral relationship. We will contribute more to the global peace, stability, and prosperity.

China will stay firmly committed to advancing the Chinese modernization. For years, China has kept the fastest growth among major economies, and has contributed around 30% to global growth. The Chinese manufacturing sector has become strong enough to keep global supply chain stable. With a big market and a highly skilled workforce, China has been a stabilizer for world economy. 

At a time when countries are interconnected, China and the US are no exceptions. Undermining others may turn out to harm oneself. Trade and tech wars have no winners, and cannot hinder China's development. Recently, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held its third plenary session, introducing over 300 significant reform measures. That signals a strong commitment to high-level opening-up and high-quality development, providing a solid foundation for the Chinese modernization while presenting new opportunities for the mutually beneficial China-U.S. cooperation.

China will stay firmly committed to exploring the right way for China and the U.S. to get along with each other. The tower of China-U.S. relationship has been built by both countries over generations. What has been achieved over the past 45 years has not come by easily. The progress in stabilizing the relationship over the past year should be cherished by both sides. 

Today, as the global significance of China-U.S. relationship is increasing, the two countries share ever broader common interests. The idea of “decoupling” is illusive. Viewing each other as new Cold War adversaries will prove to be the biggest strategic misjudgment in the 21st century. 

A conflict between China and the U.S. would be unbearable for both and the world. Regardless of international changes, China maintains the readiness to partner and befriend with the US, with mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. 

As always, China wants a stable, healthy, and sustainable China-US relationship. We hope that the US will work with China, to enhance cooperation and address differences, deliver on what’s been agreed between the two Presidents and strive for a more stable, better and forward-going China-U.S. relationship.

China remains firmly committed to upholding its sovereignty, security and development interests. Domestically, China is dedicated to improving the lives of its people. Internationally, it strives to do more to global peace and development. It will not repeat the historical pattern where powerful nations seek dominance, nor will it allow its sovereignty, security, or development interests to be undercut. 

Of the four red lines China has drawn: Taiwan, democracy and human rights, path and system, and development rights, the Taiwan question is the most paramount in China-US relations and must not be crossed. 

The notion of “democracy versus authoritarianism” is a fallacy. China's political system and development path are non-negotiable, and the legitimate rights of the Chinese people to have a better life must not be deprived. 

For China-US relations to have a “stable floor”, it is critical to avoid touching these “high-voltage wires”. We hope that the US will adhere to the one-China principle and the three joint communiqués , and honor its commitment of not supporting “Taiwan independence”, not seeking regime change in China and bearing no intention to hinder China's development.

China remains committed to enhancing people-to-people ties with the US. Despite a vast Pacific Ocean in between, China and the US have never allowed geographical distances to impede bilateral relations. Despite the ups and downs, the friendly exchanges between our peoples have never ceased. 

During World War II, Chinese and American peoples stood together against fascism, leaving behind the famous “Flying Tigers Spirit”. 

Under the shadow of the Cold War, the two sides “moved the big ball with the small ball”, through the famous “Ping-Pong Diplomacy”. 

In 1979, Deng Xiaoping paid a visit to the US. His image of tipping a cowboy hat remains vivid in our memory even today. 

Under President Xi Jinping’s personal care and support, the friendship spanning a century in Guling has endured and grown even stronger . 

The growth of China-U.S. relations has primarily come from the joint efforts of our peoples. Its future relies on our peoples’ participation and support. We will build more bridges of dialogue and communication between our peoples to sustain the tradition of friendship. Present here today include many of the witnesses, participants, and contributors to China-U.S. relations. I salute you and friends from all walks of life who have contributed to this friendship!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The best way to commemorate the 45th anniversary year is to explore the right way for our two countries to get along in the new era and usher in a brighter future. The development of China-US relations concerns everyone. We are all in this together. Young people, in particular, bear a special historical responsibility. 

Last November, President Xi Jinping proposed the “50,000 in five years” initiative. Since then, China has invited over 10,000 American youth to China under exchange programs. We welcome more American young people to come, meet Chinese friends, experience Chinese culture and gain a genuine, multi-dimentional understanding of China. 

Young people are energetic and have many beautiful dreams. The future of the world belongs to you. The hope for China-U.S. relations lies with you. We hope you will take on the baton and continue the journey, telling and writing the story of China-US friendship. By injecting “youthful energy” into our relations, we can make this world more peaceful and prosperous.

Thank you.