Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang on Tuesday said China is ready to work with the U.S. government and visionary people to bring bilateral relations back on the right track.
Addressing the annual gala hosted by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, Qin said that the two sides should hold to the spirit of the phone call between the two leaders, strengthen dialogue, manage differences and focus on cooperation.
It was Qin's first major public event in the U.S. since taking up his post.
The ambassador stressed that China's policy towards the U.S. is highly consistent and stable.
The Chinese side always bears in mind the fundamental interests of the people of both countries and the whole world, and handles China-U.S. relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, he said.
"Some people say that the China-U.S. relationship cannot go back to the past. But is it the reason why people can take it lightly, or even damage it as they wish? We reject this view," said Qin.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Dr Henry Kissinger and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao also delivered remarks at the dinner. Ming Hsieh, a Chinese American entrepreneur and philanthropist, was honored for his contributions to the development of China-U.S. relations.