No time for US’ James Bond theatrics – let’s talk recoupling, China’s envoy Qin Gang says
- Chinese ambassador tells Phoenix TV that the US’ cold war playbook should be left to Hollywood blockbusters
- Trade frictions are normal – the key is how to deal with them, Qin says
The US should stop drawing on its 007-style cold war playbook and sit down with China to talk about “recoupling” the two economies, according to China’s top diplomat in Washington.
The centre is designed to respond to what CIA director William Burns says is “the most important geopolitical threat we face in the 21st century” – an “increasingly adversarial Chinese government”.
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In an interview with Chinese-language broadcaster Phoenix TV, Qin said Burns’ remark was “the most serious miscalculation” in bilateral relations.
“Some people in the US, immersed in their delusions that they are James Bond, simply can’t resist the urge to act out their own drama. Haven’t they been worn out by such meaningless and harmful actions? Why not give themselves a break?”
Qin said both countries should “avoid miscommunication, miscalculation and unintended conflict” to put bilateral relations back on track.
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Qin said both sides could now sit down to sort out “decoupled” sectors to find ways to “recouple” them.
“It is normal for us to have economic competition and trade frictions. The key is how to deal with them,” he said.
“We are willing to have further communication with the US side, properly manage differences, and jointly create conditions to expand the positive side of our relations on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation.”
Qin said China had its own concerns about the bilateral relationship, with Chinese firms finding it more difficult to invest in the US and list on US stock markets.
He also said more than 900 Chinese companies were subject to various restrictions and the US had used national security as an excuse to target Chinese firms.
Both countries had maintained communication “at various levels” on the trade and economic fronts, and each side’s concerns could be put on the table, he said, but the US must have a pragmatic and sincere attitude.
