WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- China wants to build a strong partnership with the United States based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai said Wednesday.
Such a strong partnership can help the two nations better accomplish domestic goals and respond to challenges in today's world, Cui said at the 2017 gala dinner of the U.S.-China Policy Foundation.
"This is the essence of China's policy toward the United States. This is what we actually want to have in the relationship," the ambassador said.
Founded in 1995, the foundation is a non-profit organization promoting greater understanding between U.S. and Chinese policymakers, researchers and government officials.
TRUMP'S CHINA VISIT CONSTRUCTIVE
Cui said with both countries' efforts, bilateral relations over the years have developed on a stable track and maintained a positive momentum.
The latest development is U.S. President Donald Trump's first state visit to China just a few days ago, he added.
The U.S. president was the first visiting foreign head of state to China after the 19th National Congress of the ruling Communist Party of China. He was also the first head of state to call Chinese President Xi Jinping at the conclusion of the congress, Cui said, remarking, "Indeed, it was the first time for an American president to do that. We appreciate that."
Cui said during the visit, the two heads of state held in-depth exchanges of views and reached important consensus, which set the tone and direction for the China-U.S. relationship.
He emphasized Xi and Trump's agreement to stay in close contact and provide strategic guidance for the bilateral relationship. The two presidents also agreed to enhance high-level exchanges and make best use of high-level dialogue mechanisms. There was mutual consent to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, manage possible differences on the basis of mutual respect, and promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
The two leaders also agreed on better cooperation at the sub-national levels, and to join hands in response to global, international and regional issues, including the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. Trump's visit also saw business deals worth over 250 billion U.S. dollars signed.
"The visit was constructive and fruitful," Cui said, pointing out that the public opinion in both countries as well as the international community was positive.
CHINA, U.S. HAVE MORE THAN DIFFERENCES
The envoy also highlighted "the depth and breadth of the communication" between the two presidents, their reaffirmation of growing common interests and the need for better and closer cooperation between the two nations for the benefit of the two peoples.
Responding to skepticism that there was little progress on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue during the visit, Cui said the two presidents reaffirmed their commitment to a denuclearized and peaceful Korean Peninsula and to implement all the United Nations Security Council resolutions. They also expressed commitment to seek a diplomatic solution to the problem.
"I believe this is a very important and strong signal, (which) hopefully will help us to find the solution to this difficult and sensitive issue and help us to stabilize the situation on the peninsula," he said.
For those calling the economic outcomes of the visit below expectations, Cui said 250 billion dollars is not "a small number."
"Such a long and impressive list is the outcome of the joint efforts of the two governments and the two business communities. As long as there is sufficient political will, (the deals) will be implemented and benefit our two peoples," Cui said.
CHINA'S DEVELOPMENT TO BENEFIT WORLD
Cui said China will continue to follow the strategy of reform and opening up, and promote high-standard trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.
"We will implement the system of pre-establishment national treatment plus a negative list across the board, significantly ease market access, further open the service sector, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors," he said. "All businesses registered in China will be treated as equals."
Describing China's foreign policy, which aims at a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, Cui said China is ready to make greater contributions to world peace and development, and through consultation and collaboration with others, help improve and enhance global governance.
"We seek global partnerships, and we are ready to expand convergence of interests with other countries," he said.
While China will never give up its own legitimate interests, it will never pursue its own development at the expense of others, he said.
"China will never seek hegemony, nor will we pursue expansionist policies. This is the backdrop against which we built our relations with the United States. And this is the future direction where I believe our relations should be going," the ambassador said.
