Xi's speech delivers key messages to US, world

Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech to a China-US dialogue on Wednesday has delivered important messages to the US and the world.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the sixth round of China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) and the fifth round of High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE), Xi explained China's views on Sino-US ties and made several proposals for the two countries to overcome difficulties and enhance cooperation.

GLOBAL SIGNIFICANCE OF CHINA-US TIES

"History and facts have proven that cooperation between China and the United States led to win-win results while confrontation hurt both," Xi told audiences at the annual dialogue.

After 35 years of joint efforts, Sino-US ties have developed and cooperation has not only benefited both peoples, but promoted peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, Xi said.

"Sino-US cooperation will achieve things that are beneficial to both countries and the world, while confrontation will be disastrous," he said.

Xi's remarks stressed the global significance of relations between the world's largest and second largest economies, said Ruan Zongze, vice president of the China Institute of International Studies.

"Disaster refers to all-out confrontation between China and the US, which clearly goes against the deeply intertwined interests of both countries and the whole world in the context of globalization," Ruan said.

Wang Yiwei, director of Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China, said the remarks were meant to remind the US that the two countries shoulder great responsibility.

"The United States should not let their view be obscured in the Asia-Pacific, where China's has been played up by some as a threat, but should work with China from a long-term perspective to achieve great things," Wang said.

BREAK THE CYCLE OF CONFLICT

"The two countries should keep in mind that their common interests far outweigh their differences," the President noted, proposing that China and the US work to build a new model of major-country relations, break the cycle of conflict and set an example for future generations.

He said that both sides should respect each other; stick to dialogue, consultation and other constructive ways to expand understanding; deepen cooperation based on equality and mutual trust; and accumulate shared interests to defuse differences.

These candid remarks by President Xi highlighted the necessity of China and the US working together to explore new paths of win-win cooperation instead of a zero-sum game, Ruan said.

Historically, established powers and emerging powers always resorted to conflict and war, which brought disastrous results to themselves and the world, the researcher said.

Zhou Jingxing, a former political counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said Xi's proposal showed China's commitment to peaceful development, a precondition of the Chinese Dream.

CLARIFY STRATEGIC INTENTION

"How the United States and China perceive each other's strategic intentions will directly affect their policies and relations," Xi said in his speech.

"We cannot afford to make mistakes on this fundamental issue, or risk making wrong decisions," he warned, adding that the Asia-Pacific has enough room for both countries to co-exist peacefully.

The President raised the issue against the backdrop of increasing tension in the region and US pressure on China, Ruan said. "The root cause is lack of trust and Xi wants to stop bilateral ties from being kidnapped by differences."

"It is normal to have differences. We need strategic patience, as Xi mentioned, to assure each other of our intentions," he said.

Sino-US relations should not display signs of confrontation, which could be exploited by some countries and cause unrest and instability, according to Wang.

"The United States worries that China's strategic intention is to challenge its leadership and promote de-Americanization, which is not the case. Xi made the remarks to assure the US that China is a responsible participant in international affairs and does not aim to challenge US leadership," he said.

"The US should be confident of its ability to explore new fields such as technology and new energy to compete in the Asia-Pacific, instead of being restricted by the narrow definition of geopolitics," he added.