Cui: 'Imperative' that US, China 'join hands'

Differences do not necessarily lead to confrontation for China and the United States, who should not allow disputes and disparities to define their relationship, Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a reception on Capitol Hill celebrating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Washington, the envoy said that the China-US relationship will remain one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world, and cooperation is the only proper option for both sides.

Cui made the remarks while the United States Trade Representative's Office was holding a hearing where US business executives pled for officials to spare their Chinese imports from up to 25 percent tariffs that US President Donald Trump threatens to impose.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump tweeted that he would meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the upcoming G20 Leaders' Summit in Japan next week. The two sides are expected to discuss in-depth bilateral ties and issues of common concern, according to a statement of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

In his speech at the Rayburn House Office Building, Cui noted that Congressional participation and support "has been indispensable for each and every step forward in our journey together".

Some "ill-founded" assertions and stereotypes, however, threaten to jeopardize the future of the relations and undermine global stability and prosperity, the ambassador said.

"This vocal minority is going out of its way to paint America as the underdog in a zero-sum game with China. They are clamoring for the 'decoupling' of our two countries and even a 'new Cold War'," Cui said.

"Clearly, these people wouldn't bother to know about the benefits and value of free trade; they won't trouble themselves to understand socialism with Chinese characteristics, the path China is taking; they are willfully oblivious to the fact that the world has become so interconnected that China and the US are just two members — leading members — in the global village," he said.

The ambassador said China and the US have far more common interests than differences, and their cooperation far outweighs frictions, and cooperation is the only right choice for the two countries.

"To address such global issues as terrorism, climate change and public health, it is more imperative than ever before that China and the US join hands and work together," he said.

For two countries with different social systems, history, culture and national conditions, it is natural that they have divergent interests and concerns, and mutual respect is a must if differences are to be handled properly, Cui said.

"We shall not allow disputes and differences to define the current China-US relationship, still less shall we let pride and prejudice determine its future," Cui said. "What kind of relationship we will have is the result of each and every decision we make now and is up to the two peoples to decide."

Also speaking at the reception, US Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said the current moment is one of "increasing tensions" between the United States and China.

"We need to work out our differences with mutual respect, and make sure that we recognize that it would be a big mistake if China and the United States were to somehow end up in a hugely adverse adversarial relationship," he said.

Both will be better off if they maintain a strong dialogue and find a way forward where both countries can continue to prosper.

"We are competitors in many ways, but competitors can make each other better in many ways," Hollen said. "What we do not want, in my view, is to fall into some kind of new Cold War going forward."

The reception was sponsored by the American Chinese Commerce Association (ACCA). A photo exhibition was held at the event, showing landmark events in China-US relations.

John S. Chan, chairman of ACCA (HK), presented the "Distinguished Asian American Political Leadership Award" to Grace Meng, a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.