On December 3, 2024, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng delivered remarks via video link at the China General Chamber of Commerce — Chicago Annual Gala 2024.

Ambassador Xie pointed out that the China-U.S. relationship is again at a new historical starting point as our two countries mark the 45th anniversary of our diplomatic relations and the U.S. presidential election has come to an end. China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. We cannot backpedal or take one step forward but then two backward. Instead, we need to forge ahead step by step, uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, enhance dialogue and communication, properly manage differences and expand mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to find a right way for our two countries to get along in the new era.

Ambassador Xie emphasized that both China and the United States are great countries. We should focus on managing our own affairs well, and also complement each other and help one another succeed. China has become a key hub in global industrial and supply chains. Whoever tries to isolate China would end up isolating themselves. The Chinese economy continues to enjoy strong resilience, vast potential, great vitality and broad room. We have every confidence that we will maintain long-term growth, achieve high-quality development, and defuse external challenges.

Ambassador Xie said that the interests of China and the United States are deeply intertwined. Decoupling from China would be “shooting oneself in the foot”, and a trade war has become a “sword of Damocles” looming over American businesses. Weaponizing tariffs is no panacea. Revoking China’s permanent normal trade relations status would be rattling the very foundation of the global trading system. Mutual benefit is the most beautiful vocabulary in China’s dictionary, and win-win cooperation is the best choice for our two countries.

The theme of the annual gala this year is “Charting New Horizons”. Nearly 800 people attended the event, including federal senators, congressmen and congresswomen, governors, mayors, former officials, business leaders, experts and scholars from the United States and representatives of China-invested institutions and companies.