http://www.diplomaticourier.com/news/diplomacy/746
In a major policy speech yesterday in Washington, DC, before a luncheon sponsored by the U.S.-China Business Council and the National Council on U.S.-China Relations, representing business leaders, politicians, and China scholars, China’s vice president and the probable successor to current president Hu Jintao, Xi Jinping, outlined his vision of the future of the U.S.-China relationship.
At a time when people around the world are searching for peace and stability, Mr. Xi believes that the U.S.-China relationship is at a historical starting point and called for deeper ‘”strategic trust” based on mutual understanding between the political leaders of both countries. Given the fact that China and the United States have interwoven interests, Mr. Xi felt that it was imperative to increase mutual trust and “reduce misunderstanding and suspicion” in an effort to develop a mutually beneficial relationship based on strengthening military, trade, and people-to-people exchanges that would have a major impact in a global economy. He emphasized that a strong and prosperous China will not necessarily adversely affect the interests of the United States as the interwoven interests of China and the United States were an “unstoppable river that keeps surging ahead”.
In an effort to showcase China’s rising status as a global superpower, Mr. Xi emphasized the importance of China and the United States respecting each other’s core interests and concerns. His use of the term “core interests” evoked the meaning of territorial sovereignty and Mr. Xi called on the United States to recognize China’s one state policy, oppose Taiwanese independence, and acknowledge Tibet as being part of China. While acknowledging differences on the issue of human rights, Mr. Xi felt that China and the United States should continue to engage in regular dialogue as a way to improve human rights in both countries.
Furthermore, Mr. Xi discussed the importance of increased U.S.-China cooperation on business development and trade as a way to stimulate economic growth and job creation in both countries. Mr. Xi mentioned that in 2011, China’s trade surplus to GDP dropped from roughly 7 percent to 2 percent, and he stated that China plans to give the United States a framework for two-way trade between the countries, allowing China and the United States to work together to solve the challenges and obstacles that exist in the promotion of free trade.
Consequently, Mr. Xi felt that it was imperative to improve U.S.-China cooperation on international affairs in an effort to jointly promote global peace. He signaled his country’s willingness to engage with the United States on various foreign policy issues such as Iran, North Korea and counter-terrorism. In fact, in reference to the recent U.S. “pivot” strategy and increased presence of the US military in the Asia-Pacific region, Mr. Xi said: “China welcomes the United States playing a constructive role in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Towards the end of his speech, Mr. Xi moderated his tone with a lengthy reference about his time as a provincial level official and his efforts to help the wife of an elderly American professor. The widow was attempting to visit a town in Fujian Province with the remains of her recently deceased husband to be buried in his hometown before he emigrated to the United States.
In closing, Mr. Xi highlighted the importance of the people to people exchanges. China has granted roughly 10,000 scholarships to Chinese students to study in the United States while, at the same time, receiving roughly 10,000 Americans to study in China. It was Mr. Xi’s hope that all Chinese-Americans would continue to do a great job in furthering U.S.-China relations.
