China and US Seek Common Ground as Wang Yi Meets New American Ambassador

Wang Yi welcomed the new US Ambassador to his role and expressed hope that he would serve as a trustworthy communicator, a mediator of differences, and a promoter of cooperation between the two nations. The Chinese Foreign Minister highlighted the critical juncture at which the China-US relationship currently stands, noting that the most important lesson from nearly half a century of diplomatic relations between the two countries is that equality and respect are the prerequisites for their interactions, and that dialogue and cooperation are the only correct choices.

The US Ambassador responded by stating that the US President has great respect for Chinese President Xi Jinping and that it is essential for the two leaders to maintain positive and constructive interactions. As the US Ambassador to China, he expressed his willingness to maintain close communication with the Chinese side, based on the principles of mutual respect and mutual listening. The meeting comes at a time when the China-US relationship is navigating complex challenges, including trade tensions and disagreements over a range of issues.

China has underscored its expectations from the United States in terms of implementing previously agreed-upon consensus between the two nations. Wang Yi emphasized that despite China's strict adherence to the consensus reached during the Geneva economic and trade talks, the US has recently taken a series of negative actions under unfounded pretext, damaging China's legitimate rights and interests. China firmly opposes these actions and expects the US to reciprocate by genuinely implementing the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders in their previous phone call.

The emphasis on mutual respect, cooperation, and the implementation of agreed-upon consensus highlights the ongoing efforts by both countries to navigate their differences and find common ground. Nonetheless, the mention of recent disagreements and negative actions by the US indicates that there are still significant hurdles to overcome in achieving a stable and healthy bilateral relationship. The meeting between Wang Yi and the US Ambassador is seen as a crucial step in efforts to stabilize and improve relations between the two global powers.

As the US and China continue to engage on various fronts, including trade, technology, and security, the role of diplomatic engagement and the commitment to principles of international relations will be crucial in shaping the future trajectory of their relationship. The recognition by both sides of the importance of a stable and constructive relationship, not only for the benefit of their own nations but also for the stability and prosperity of the world at large, underscores the significance of their diplomatic efforts.