China’s US ambassador Cui Tiankai condemns ‘cold warriors’ – but tells Chinese firms to learn from Americans
- Cui urges audience in US to reject ‘self-proclaimed strategists, who are new cold warriors’, and to say no to decoupling from trade partners
- Chinese companies’ best response is ‘confidence in openness’, including ‘readiness to learn from American partners’
Beijing’s top diplomat in Washington has urged the US business community to resist decoupling from China’s economy and his own country’s companies to show greater openness to American-style management.
“I’m fully aware of the situation that you have to face sometimes when doors are closed on you,” Ambassador Cui Tiankai said in a keynote address at the annual gala of the China General Chamber of Commerce – USA (CGCC-USA) in New York.
Addressing the executives of Chinese companies in attendance, Cui said: “I fully share your concerns and your opposition to these attempts. My advice is never give up. Never give in. The best response to such attempts is greater openness. Have confidence in openness.
“This kind of openness also means the readiness to learn from your American partners. Not only in terms of technology and management skills, but also, more importantly, their capacity for imagination and culture for innovation.”
Cui issued his appeal as negotiators from the United States took part in trade talks in Beijing, including the deputy US trade representative Jeffrey Gerrish, a long-time ally of US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer – who, along with White House trade policy adviser Peter Navarro, has taken a hard line against China’s trade and investment policies.