China’s Vice-President Wang Qishan says cooperation with United States best for both sides

Nations must ‘adapt to new reality … expand common interests, promote practical cooperation’ statesman says

But regardless of how international landscape changes, ‘China will unswervingly follow its own path, run its own affairs’, he says

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Wang Qishan gives a toast during an event in Beijing on Thursday commemorating 40 years of diplomatic relations between the US and China. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:38pm, 10 Jan 2019Updated: 10:51pm, 10 Jan 2019

China’s vice-president said cooperation is the best choice for Beijing and Washington while reiterating his nation will stay committed to its own path, a day after mid-level trade talks ended on a positive note.

“As Chinese-US relations stand at a new starting line, it must stay committed to our original aspiration and focus on coordination, cooperation and stability,” Wang Qishan said at a reception in Beijing on Thursday to commemorate the 40th anniversary of China and the US establishing diplomatic ties.

“We must adapt to the new reality, keep looking for and expanding our common interests, deepening and promoting practical cooperation.”

China and the US are trying to resolve an unprecedented trade stand-off, with talks this week in Beijing ending on an optimistic note – though few details have emerged. Global stocks rallied on fresh hope of a breakthrough in the negotiations.

The next steps include a possible meeting between Wang and US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum later this month.

Wang – a long-time ally of Chinese President Xi Jinping – is leading China’s team to the annual forum in Davos, Switzerland, and will deliver a keynote address there. The talks with Trump would take place on the sidelines of the meeting, the South China Morning Post reported.