Envoy: Differences between China, U.S. should be 'impetus for exchanges'

China's Ambassador to the United States on Thursday said the differences between the two countries should spur exchanges and mutual learning instead of becoming a pretext for exclusion and confrontation.

In a video speech at a U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) conference and reception dinner in Shanghai to commemorate the 45th anniversary of U.S.-China diplomatic relations, Ambassador Xie Feng also cautioned the perils of protectionist measures on trade and technology, which he said would produce no winner.

In his speech, Xie expressed hope that the U.S. side will work with China in the same direction, stand on the right side of history, make the right choice in line with the trend of the times and the people's will and jointly move the relationship forward along a stable sound and sustainable track.

Xie emphasized that China is committed to working with the United States based on three principles: mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

He said those principles have guided China-U.S. relations successfully in the past and should continue to do so.

"To embark on a new journey, it is important to start with mutual respect as a prerequisite. No two leaves are alike, nor are two countries identical," he said.

"China will never become another United States," said the ambassador. "Differences should be an impetus for exchanges and mutual learning, rather than a pretext for exclusion and confrontation. How can China and the United States, as the world's two largest economies, ever turn our backs on each other?" he said.

"The success of China and the United States is an opportunity, not a challenge for each other, and the earth is big enough for us to develop respectively and prosper together," he added.

"To embark on a new journey, it is important to hold on to peaceful coexistence as a baseline. This is both an obligation and a must for China and the United States as permanent members of the Security Council and nuclear power states," said Xie.

In his speech, the envoy also said tariff war, trade war, tech war or industrial war would produce no winner.

"Protectionism only locks one in backwardness and costs them the future," he said.

As evidence of successful cooperation, he pointed to the expansion of major American companies such as McDonald's and Starbucks in China, which Xie said demonstrates mutual economic benefits and growth opportunities.

China welcomes more American companies to invest in China, the envoy said. "We also look forward to greater dialogue and cooperation between our two countries on global challenges such as climate change and AI for the good of both of us and the entire world," he said.

"China will continue to promote high-quality development and expand high-standard opening up so as to bring more stability to a turbulent world, fresh momentum to the world economy and new opportunities to business globally," he said.

Regarding the Taiwan question, Xie reiterated that it is "the first and foremost red line that should not be crossed in the China-U.S. relationship".

Xie also emphasized the importance of win-win cooperation. "As a goal, as the world's largest developing and developed countries, China and the United States can jointly make a big difference," he said.

"Any attempt to encircle, contain or suppress China would be self-defeating, and no one should underestimate the firm will and strong capability of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interest to embark on a new journey," Xie said.

The Shanghai event on Thursday featured "insightful expert discussions on U.S.-China relations, China's economy and climate cooperation, which will help you better navigate this increasingly complex market," the USCBC said on its website.

The Council expected to use this platform "to facilitate collaborations with various sectors and promote stable and healthy bilateral economic and trade relations," it said.