Sino-US cooperation 'no longer optional but imperative' for the world: Chinese FM Wang Yi

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday said that the most pressing task for Sino-U.S. relations is to foster a proper understanding, asserting that cooperation between the two nations is now “no longer an option but an imperative” for the world.

In a keynote speech commemorating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S., Wang stated that cooperation is the “most correct choice for China and the United States to get along.”

“It can be said that China-U.S. cooperation is no longer an option for the two countries and even for the world, but an imperative that must be seriously addressed,” Wang said.

China hopes that the U.S. will, he said, relax its mindset and “in an attitude of equality and inclusiveness” respect the choices made by the Chinese people and China’s development path, including when defending its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We are willing to commit ourselves to building a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship on the basis of mutual respect,” he said.

Wang said China’s development and revitalisation has a “strong endogenous momentum”, which he said meant that China will assume greater responsibility for the world’s peace and development.

“We have no intention of replacing anyone, overriding anyone, and have no intention of seeking hegemony,” he added.

Wang also said that while both nations were built on different backgrounds, the differences should not lead to confrontation, and that the “big stick of sanctions” should not be used at every turn to exercise power or hegemony.

Both sides should continue to make full use of restored and established mechanisms in foreign affairs, economics, finance, commerce, agriculture and other areas to eliminate obstacles in their exchanges, he said.