Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, expressed the hope on Saturday that the United States would implement, along with China, the consensus reached by the two heads of state, advancing bilateral ties based on coordination, cooperation and stability.
When answering questions about China-U.S. relationship after addressing the ongoing 55th Munich Security Conference (MSC), Yang said, the world is faced with both opportunities and challenges, and all countries need to cooperate with each other.
According to Yang, who is also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump have agreed that China-U.S. relations should be based on coordination, cooperation and stability, and President Trump said developing a constructive and cooperative U.S.-China relationship is his priority.
The important consensus reached by the two heads of state, said the official, has pointed to the direction for the development of bilateral ties in the coming period.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and United States. Since President Richard Nixon, Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai opened the door for U.S.-China exchanges, relations between the two countries have forged ahead with historic achievements through thick and thin, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and the world at large, he noted.
He urged the U.S. to proceed from the fundamental interests of the two peoples and earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state.
As for China-U.S. economic and trade differences and frictions, Yang said China is willing to solve them through cooperation, but with principles.
Recently, he said, the China-U.S. business teams have conducted intensive consultations and made important progress. It is hoped that both sides will continue to make concerted efforts to push for mutually beneficial and win-win agreements.
On the trade imbalance between China and the U.S., Yang said the causes are complex. A large part of this is due to the U.S. export control toward China. Report from a U.S. research institute showed that the U.S. trade deficit with China could be reduced by 30 percent if the it relaxed its export controls to the level of France.
Regarding human rights, Yang noted, the Chinese government attaches great importance to the promotion of human rights. The Chinese people of all ethnic groups have forged ahead in unity and improved their living standards, which is a fact for all to see. China firmly opposes the U.S.' groundless attacks and accusations against China under the guise of human rights.
The Chinese government always requires Chinese companies to abide by international rules and laws and regulations of the country where they operate, Yang said.
Over a long period, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. has made positive contributions to the development of communication technologies in countries including in Europe, and strictly abided by international rules and local laws and regulations. China has no law requiring companies to install "back doors" or collect foreign intelligence.
The Chinese official expressed the hope that some countries will show some confidence in their own technologies and some respect for the willingness of other countries to develop cooperation with Chinese enterprises.
He believed that the people of European countries with their ancient civilization have the wisdom to distinguish what is really in their own interests and not to be confused by unfounded rumors.
China is ready to join hands with European countries to meet challenges and seek common development in the fourth industrial revolution, he pledged.
On China's relations with neighboring countries, Yang said bilateral ties have been developing vigorously. China is the largest trading partner of almost all the neighbors, with frequent personnel exchanges. China is working with coastal countries the South China Sea to maintain peace and stability in the region and advancing negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership with relevant countries including India.
It has been proved that as long as external forces do not stir up trouble or apply double standards, the Asia-Pacific region will be peaceful and the world will be more secure, he stressed.
Yang also reiterated that China is firmly committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the maintenance of peace and stability in Northeast Asia. China supports the success of the second meeting between the leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the U.S. and expects positive results from it. Enditem
