Wang Yi: Decline of China-U.S. ties not in interests of two peoples

The decline of China-U.S. relations is not in the interests of the two peoples, or in the interests of the expectations of the international community, senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said on Tuesday.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks when meeting with Henry Paulson, former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and chairman of the Paulson Institute, in Beijing.

Hailing Paulson’s long-term commitment to promoting the development of China-U.S. relations, Wang said it is hoped that Paulson and his institute will continue to play a constructive role in improving bilateral relations.

The decline of bilateral relations is not in line with the development trend of the times, Wang said, adding that China’s policy toward the U.S. has always maintained a high degree of stability and continuity.

Noting that the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation proposed by China chart the course for China-U.S. relations, Wang voiced his hope that the U.S. policy toward China will return to a rational and pragmatic track.

He called for taking concrete actions and shortening the negative list to work with China to explore a way for the two countries to coexist peacefully.

Paulson and others said they welcome the two countries resuming and maintaining dialogue in recent times, adding that both sides should find the right way to get along and establish mutual trust.

They urged efforts to promote the stabilization and improvement of U.S.-China relations, and explore ways to expand cooperation in areas of common interest such as economy, finance, agriculture, and addressing climate change.

Voicing confidence in the future of China’s economy and bilateral relations, they said the institute will continue to play a positive role in strengthening bilateral communication and exchanges, and will work with China to promote the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai to bear positive results to better help countries in the Global South cope with climate change.