Xi Jinping in San Francisco: Advocates for Respect, Cooperation in U.S.-China Relations

Ahead of his summit with U.S. President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated that the two nations can find the right path through respect and cooperation.

According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Xi, who is visiting the U.S. for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in San Francisco on the 15th (local time), made this remark before his meeting with President Biden. He asserted, “The objective fact is that China and the U.S. are different in history, culture, social system, and development path,” adding, “If the two countries respect each other, coexist peacefully, and pursue cooperative symbiosis, they can overcome the differences and find the right path for reconciliation between the two major countries.”

He pointed out, “The world economy is recovering, but the momentum is still weak, industries and supply chains are still under the threat of disruption, and protectionism is escalating. All of these are serious problems.” He emphasized, “The Sino-U.S. relationship, the most important bilateral relationship in the world, should be recognized and conceived in the broad context of unprecedented global transformation over the past 100 years. It should develop in a direction that benefits both nations and fulfills the responsibility for human progress.”

He argued, “Turning their backs on each other is not an option for large countries like China and the U.S. Trying to remodel one another is unrealistic, and conflict and confrontation bring unbearable results to both sides.” He added, “The Sino-U.S. relationship has never had a smooth sailing in the past 50 years and has always faced various problems. It has continued to move forward amidst twists and turns.”

President Xi also emphasized the role of each leader in coordinating bilateral relations. He stated, “President Biden and I, who hold the baton of Sino-U.S. relations, bear a heavy responsibility to our nations, the world, and history. I look forward to having in-depth exchanges of views and new understandings on important issues related to the direction of Sino-U.S. relations and major issues that affect world peace and development with President Biden.”

Meanwhile, the summit between the two countries takes place a year and a day after their first face-to-face meeting in Bali, Indonesia, on November 14th last year. President Xi is setting foot on U.S. soil for the first time in six years since his visit during the presidency of Donald Trump in 2017.

By. Kim Hyun Jung