This is the second major interview given by Kong since he became ambassador in May last year. In his previous interview, he called on Japanese leaders to work together with Beijing to improve relations.

Unlike other Chinese diplomats who have been strident about Washington’s hostility against China, Kong appeared to take a less hawkish approach to soothe Japan’s concerns.

“Even if China and the United States have problems and differences in many areas, the current situation of ‘mutual complementarity’ in economic development has not changed, and mutually beneficial cooperation and common development can still be achieved,” the embassy’s transcript quoted Kong as saying.

“China and the United States should fully recognise their important responsibilities and strive to build long-term and stable Sino-US relations.”

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In a separate question on how Sino-US relations will look after the upcoming US election, the ambassador said China wanted to develop a relationship with the US that was not confrontational and was mutually respectful and reciprocal, despite the difficulties.

Kong called for the contentious South China Sea and Taiwan issues to be resolved by peaceful means. “Maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea is the common aspiration of countries in the region, and dialogue is the right way to resolve disputes,” he said.

Regarding Taiwan, Kong urged the US to keep to its word.

“The Taiwan issue concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, it involves China’s core interests … The United States should earnestly abide by its commitments made in the three Sino-US joint communiques and do more to help Sino-US relations and regional peace and stability,” he said.

Kong said crisis management was now needed when it came to the Diaoyu Islands, which have been under de facto Japanese control for decades but are also claimed by Beijing.

“The governments of the two countries should make effective efforts to prevent the Diaoyu Islands issue from hijacking public opinion and causing confrontation that will affect overall bilateral relations,” he said, adding that “tensions over the Diaoyu Islands will not do China any good”.

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Taiwan also claims the islands.

Last week, US Lieutenant General Kevin Schneider, commander of US Forces Japan, said American troops could be sent to defend the Senkakus.

Liang Yunxiang, an international relations expert at Peking University, said Kong took a mild tone in the interview, even on some sensitive matters, to better reach out to Japan.

“To construct Sino-Japanese relations in the new era, China has to adopt a soft approach to Japan. And it might well be the central tone of the next political document between the two countries.”