China-US decoupling, ideological hatred hurts both sides: Beijing’s top envoy
- Cui Tiankai says some people are trying to ‘write off the hard-won achievements’ of 41 years of official relations
- US President Donald Trump has stepped up vilification of China as he seeks re-election, while myriad differences have hinted at a new cold war
In a speech during a virtual ceremony on Thursday to mark China’s National Day, Cui Tiankai said China was firmly opposed to a new cold war or decoupling, and Beijing was committed to building stable ties with Washington.
“Indeed, the China-US relationship is experiencing severe difficulties rarely seen in the past 41 years of diplomatic ties,” Cui said.
“Some people attempt to write off the hard-won achievements in China-US relations, stoke up decoupling and incite ideological confrontation and a new cold war.
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“This has seriously undermined the fundamental interests of the Chinese and American people.”
He said China was not seeking hegemony, nor expanding its sphere of influence.
“We have no intention to fight either a cold war or a hot war with any country,” he said. “We will continue to narrow differences and resolve disputes with others through dialogue and negotiation.
“We are willing to develop our relations with the US with goodwill and sincerity, and the two countries should lose no time in taking bilateral relations onto the right track of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.”
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But Cui described the pandemic in his speech as a global challenge that “cannot be solved by the traditional toolbox of great power competition”.
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“Obsession with the cold war mentality and ideological confrontation will lead nowhere,” he said. “Strengthening international coordination and cooperation, and reforming and improving international governance, is the only right path forward.
“More than ever before, we should put people and life before everything else, follow the guidance of science and show the goodwill and wisdom for solidarity and coordination.”
