Source: China Daily    Published: 2021-2-23

Editor's notes: On February 22, the Lanting Forum on "Promoting Dialogue and Cooperation and Managing Differences: Bringing China-U.S. Relations Back to the Right Track", jointly hosted by the China Public Diplomacy Association, Peking University and Renmin University of China, was successfully held. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the opening ceremony of the forum and delivered a keynote speech. Henry Paulson, Kevin Rudd, Hao Ping, Maurice Greenberg and Cui Tiankai delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. The Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China(RDCY) is one of the main organizers of this forum.

Beijing and Washington should respect each other, boost dialogue and manage differences, restart win-win cooperation and clear a path for resuming bilateral exchanges to bring China-US ties back on track, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivers a speech at the opening of the Lanting Forum with the theme of "Promoting Dialogue and Cooperation and Managing Differences: Bringing China-US Relations Back to the Right Track" in Beijing, China, Feb 22, 2021. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn]

Wang made the remark when addressing veteran officials, scholars and prominent figures from both countries at the Lanting Forum in Beijing on Monday.

Recalling then US national security advisor Henry Kissinger's icebreaking visit to China 50 years ago, Wang said China and the US should "make once again the sensible and right decision" with a sense of responsibility for the two countries and the world.

Wang said it is important to respect each other and not interfere in each other's internal affairs.

In particular, Wang said that China urges the US to stop smearing the Communist Party of China and China's political system, stop conniving in or even supporting the erroneous words and deeds of separatist forces for "Taiwan independence" and stop undermining China's sovereignty and security on internal affairs concerning Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet.

He also said it is key for both nations to step up dialogue and properly manage their differences as well as to move in the same direction to restart mutually beneficial cooperation.

"We hope that the US side will adjust its policies as soon as possible, among other things, remove unreasonable tariffs on Chinese goods, lift its unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies and research and educational institutes and abandon irrational suppression of China's technological progress, so as to create necessary conditions for China-US cooperation," Wang said.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivers a speech at the opening of the Lanting Forum with the theme of "Promoting Dialogue and Cooperation and Managing Differences: Bringing China-US Relations Back to the Right Track" in Beijing, China, Feb 22, 2021. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn]

Speaking on clearing the path for the resumption of bilateral exchanges in all areas, Wang said he hoped the US would "act as early as possible to lift its restrictions on Chinese educational and cultural groups, media outlets and institutions for overseas Chinese affairs in the US".

At the forum, Kevin Rudd, president and CEO of the Asia Society and former Australian prime minister, welcomed the areas of cooperation proposed by Wang.

Beijing and Washington should work on reducing the risk of their competition running into conflicts, and hard limits are needed to manage the escalation of competition, Rudd said via video link.

Rudd called for continued strategic cooperation on global challenges that are "increasingly pressing", including climate change and economic recovery following the pandemic, which will secure global interests as well as the interests of China and the US.

Former US treasury secretary Henry Paulson told the forum via video link that US-China relations are the most important bilateral ties in the world, and both sides should minimize and mitigate conflicts.

He expressed concern over decoupling between the two countries and said they "should focus on easier issues" and "can build on moving forward" on global issues such as the environment and climate.

Hao Ping, president of Peking University, said he hoped that universities in the two countries can develop new forms of cooperation and deepen their long-standing friendship.

Universities have encouraged and supported one another during the pandemic and signed or renewed deals on exchange programs, Hao said.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left 2) attends the opening of the Lanting Forum in Beijing, China, Feb 22, 2021. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn]

Misperceptions targeted

Wang stressed in his speech that "the walls of misperceptions must be torn down first" to clear the way for knowing, observing and understanding China as it is.

China is a country that always promotes people's democracy, subscribes to protecting and promoting human rights, values and safeguards world peace, advocates and pursues win-win cooperation, and practices and upholds multilateralism, he said.

Echoing Wang's point, Cui Tiankai, Chinese ambassador to the US, said both countries "need to have an accurate understanding of each other's strategic intentions" and "have a real knowledge and respect of each other's history, culture and development path".

"It is hoped that America will have a correct mindset, live up to the principle that all countries 'are created equal', and learn to peacefully coexist with those who have a different history, culture, development path and system," Cui said.

China and the US need to have candid communication and clearly define their policy boundaries, so as to effectively manage differences and focus on cooperation, Cui said.

"On matters concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet, China will never back down, and the red line may not be crossed," he said.

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