This
speech was given by Wang Yi, the Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of
China on September 20th, 2013. As a professional diplomat, Wang formerly served as Vice Foreign
Minister, ambassador to Japan, and director of the Taiwan Affairs Office. In
this speech, he mainly talked about a new model regarding to the relations and policies between China and US which was agreed by both Chinese and American presidents during the meeting in
Annenberg Estate last June, 2013. He also talked about climate
change, Syria civil war, and Pacific affairs besides the new model.
Toward
a New Model of Major-Country Relations Between China and the United States
20
September 2013
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
Dear
Friends,
“It
gives me great pleasure to be back at the Brookings Institution and share with
you my thoughts on the way toward a new model of major-country relations
between China and the United States. And I will be happy to take your
questions.
Before
I start, I wish to thank the Brookings Institution and President Strobe Talbott
for graciously hosting this event. This gives me the opportunity to meet old
friends and make new ones. Over the past few years, each time I came to the
United States, I would meet your experts and scholars. Of course, I wore the
hat of the Minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office back then and our discussion
focused on the question of Taiwan. I remember that whenever some of you raised
questions about foreign policy issues, my reply was "Sorry, they are
beyond my portfolio." But today, you can rest assured that I will not say
"Sorry" again no matter what foreign policy questions you raise.
This
is a year of great significance in China-US relations. Last June, the two
presidents held a successful and historic meeting in Annenberg Estate,
California. The most important outcome is that China and the United States
agreed to build a new model of major-country relations. The agreement is
strategic, constructive and path-breaking in nature. It has charted the future
course for our relations. It will surely produce a positive and profound impact
on the Asia-Pacific and, indeed, the evolution of the international landscape.
With
the agreement come two questions. First, what is this new model of relations
about? And second, how to make it a reality?
President
Xi Jinping has laid out a clear vision for the new model. In his words, the
essential features of this model include number one, "no conflict or
confrontation", number two, "mutual respect" and number three,
"win-win cooperation". This answers the first question.
"No
conflict or confrontation" is the prerequisite for the new model of
major-country relations between us. According to some study of history,
there have been about 15 cases of rise of emerging powers. In 11 cases,
confrontation and war broke out between the emerging and the established
powers. However, we now live in a different world. China and the United States
and in fact all countries in the world are part of a community of shared
interests. Countries are increasingly interconnected. Neither of us will
benefit from confrontation. War will get us nowhere. "No conflict or
confrontation" means that we need to follow the trend of globalization,
reverse negative projections of China-US relations, address strategic distrust
and build confidence in the future of China-US relations.
"Mutual
respect" is a basic principle for this new model. We live in a world of
rich diversity. For China and the United States, two major countries different
in social system, history and culture yet connected by intertwined interests,
mutual respect is all the more important. Only by respecting each other's
system and path chosen by their people, as well as each other's core interests
and concerns can we seek common ground while reserving differences and, on that
basis, expand common ground and dissolve differences so that China and the
United States will be able to live together in harmony.
"Win-win
cooperation" is the only way to turn the vision into a reality. There is
an enormous need and vast potential for bilateral cooperation in all fields.
Besides, the world certainly needs China and the United States, two major
countries with great influence, to work together and contribute on issues
ranging from counterterrorism to cyber security, from nuclear non-proliferation
to climate change, and from peace in the Middle East to Africa's development.
Win-win progress is only possible when both countries are committed to growing
cooperation. Moreover, such win-win outcome should not just be beneficial to
China and the United States, it should also be beneficial to all countries in
the world.
Now
let me turn to the second question, how can we make the new model of relations
a reality. Indeed, this will be a systemic project that requires ideas and
efforts of people from all walks of life in both countries. It also needs the
sustained political resolve, persistent commitment and tireless efforts of both
sides.
First,
we need to enhance strategic trust to put this new model of relationship on a
more solid foundation. We have all along emphasized that China's development is
peaceful in nature. We have never had the strategic intention to challenge or
even replace the United States for its position in the world. We truly wish to
work together with the United States and all other countries for peace and
common development. We are aware of US statement that it does not see China as
a threat or intend to contain China; instead, it wishes to see a strong and
stable China. This is right. As long as China and the United States can both
stick to this strategic direction in their action, we will certainly build up
strategic trust and strengthen the foundation for this new model of
relationship.
Second,
we need to promote practical cooperation to put this new model of relationship
on more shared interests. Over more than four decades since the establishment
of our diplomatic relations, fast growing economic cooperation and trade have
brought huge benefits to each country's development. They have served as a
stabilizer that enables China-US relations to forge ahead despite winds and waves.
Today, bilateral trade is almost 500 billion US dollars and mutual investment
more than 80 billion. According to the latest report from China-US Exchange
Foundation, by 2022, our two countries will become each other's top trading
partner. By then, US export to China will exceed 450 billion dollars, which
means over 2.5 million jobs created in this country. The number of Chinese
tourists visiting the United States will grow to 10 million from 1.5 million in
2012. These are conclusions of the joint study by Chinese and American
scholars. They will give a strong impetus to the historic process of this new
model of relationship.
Recently,
China has agreed to carry out substantive negotiations with the United States
on the bilateral investment treaty (BIT) on the basis of pre-establishment
national treatment and negative list. This shows the great sincerity and
resolve of the Chinese government. We will advance reform and opening-up and
deepen China-US economic cooperation and trade. This will open up new prospects
for bilateral business ties. There is also a need for the two countries to tap
cooperation potential in such fields as energy, environmental protection,
urbanization, bio-tech and infrastructure. China takes US concerns on market
access and IPR protection seriously and is prepared to take measures to address
them. At the same time, China hopes the United States will ease its control
over high-tech export to China and give fair treatment to Chinese companies
investing in this country.
Third,
we need to enhance people-to-people and cultural exchange and put this
new model of relationship on stronger public support. State-to-state relations,
at the end of the day, are about people-to-people relations. In today's world,
public opinion has increasingly become a significant factor shaping or even
defining bilateral relationship. Friendship between peoples leads to amity
between nations and vice versa. Therefore, the success of our endeavor to build
a new model of major-country relationship hinges greatly upon the
understanding, involvement and support of the majority of our two peoples. With
this in mind, we need to encourage and expand interactions in various areas and
between various groups, including families, communities, schools, and NGOs at
the grass root level, so that our peoples will understand each other better and
deepen friendship. We need to strengthen cultural exchange and as the two sides
meet and interact, they will gradually achieve mutual tolerance and
inclusiveness. We also need to lead public opinion in respective countries so
that the voice advocating China-US friendship and cooperation will become the
mainstream and public support for our relations will grow stronger.
Fourth,
we need to strengthen cooperation in international and regional hotspots and
global issues and put this new model of relationship on greater common
responsibilities. The United States is the biggest developed country while
China is the biggest developing country in the world. The two countries share
ever-growing converging interests and shoulder increasingly greater common
responsibilities on such major issues as maintaining regional and international
stability and promoting sustainable development of mankind. Joint contribution
to world peace and stability and progress of civilization is what the
international community expects of our two countries. It should, therefore,
also be an inherent feature of this new model of relationship. China is
prepared to engage in all-dimensional cooperation with the United States at regional
and global levels. What we seek is not the so-called "G2", but each
complementing the other with its respective advantages. China is ready to
shoulder international responsibilities commensurate with its national strength
and realities, and together with the United States, offer more quality public
goods for the international community. China and the United States can
cooperate on any issue. We may not always see eye to eye, but that should not
prevent us from talking to each other. As long as we truly act in the shared
interests of the two countries and for the benefit of regional and global
stability and prosperity, our positions will get closer and our strategic trust
will surely get enhanced.
On
cyber security, a peaceful, secure, open and cooperative cyber space is in the
interest of all countries in the world, including China and the United States.
China firmly opposes any behavior that disrupts order in cyberspace and
endangers cyber security. As a matter of fact, China is a victim of hacking
and other cyber attacks. To safeguard cyber security, we need cooperation
instead of finger-pointing. The first meeting of China-US cyber working group
made a good beginning. We need to keep up constructive dialogue and promote the
formulation of international cyber rules to help ensure cyber security.
On
climate change, our two sides have set up a climate change working group within
the S&ED framework. As China is committed to deepening economic structural
readjustment and accelerating the shift of growth model, addressing climate
change, meets its own need of sustainable development in the first place. We
are ready to enhance cooperation with the United States on environmental
protection, energy conservation and emissions reduction, and alternative and renewable
energy, take part in relevant climate change negotiations in a responsible
manner and jointly contribute to sustainable development.
On
Syria, China is firmly opposed to the use of chemical weapons by any country or
individual. We believe that political settlement is the only right way out in
defusing the Syrian crisis. We support an early launch of the process to
destroy Syria's chemical weapons. At the same time a Geneva II should be held
as soon as possible, thus bringing the Syrian issue back to the track of
political settlement.
On
Palestine and Israel, China has promoted peace talks in a responsible manner,
and stands ready to work closely with the United States to push the two sides
to make concerted efforts. On the Iranian nuclear issue, China and the United
States have maintained close communication both bilaterally and through P5+1.
There have emerged positive factors in Iranian nuclear dialogue. We should
seize the opportunities to work for early, substantive progress in the
dialogue.
Fifth,
we need to prioritize our cooperation on Asia-Pacific affairs and start the
building of this new model of relationship from the Asia-Pacific region. The
Asia-Pacific is the world's fastest-growing and most promising region; it is
also home to most of the hotspot issues. China and the United States have more
converging interests and frequent interactions in the Asia-Pacific than
anywhere else. Therefore, it is both possible and imperative that our two
countries start the building of this new model of relationship from the
Asia-Pacific. Just think: if China and the United States can avoid conflict and
confrontation in the Asia-Pacific, there is no reason we cannot co-exist in
peace in other parts of the world; if China and the United States can respect each
other and conduct win-win cooperation on Asia-Pacific affairs, there is no
reason we cannot work together on other issues. But how to turn the
Asia-Pacific into the "testing ground" for our new model of
relationship? I think the following two points are extremely important.
First,
China and the United States should genuinely respect and accommodate each
other's interests and concerns in the Asia-Pacific. China respects the
traditional influence and immediate interests of the United States in the
Asia-Pacific. We have never thought about pushing the US out of the region.
Rather, we hope the United States will play a positive and constructive role in
safeguarding peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific. As President
Xi Jinping aptly pointed out, "The vast Pacific Ocean is broad enough to
accommodate our two big countries." The Asia-Pacific has been the home and
root of the Chinese nation for thousands of years. Therefore, we hope the
United States will also respect China's interests and concerns.
The
Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It
bears on the national sentiments of the 1.3 billion Chinese people. Right now,
cross-Straits relations enjoy a momentum of peaceful development. It is the
common desire of people on both sides of the Straits to have peace rather than
war, cooperation rather than confrontation, and exchanges rather than
estrangement. Gradual integration of the two sides through two-way interactions
and cooperation will lead to ultimate reunification. This is a historical trend
that no one can stop. For many years, the Taiwan question has been a liability
in China-US relations that undermines mutual trust and disrupts cooperation.
However, if the United States can go along with the prevailing trend of
peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and genuinely appreciate and
respect China's efforts to oppose separation and achieve peaceful
reunification, the issue – once a liability and negative factor in our
relationship – will be turned into an asset and a positive factor, providing
guarantee to the long-term, steady growth of China-US relations and opening
prospect for all-round cooperation.
Second,
China and the United States should work together to produce substantive results
in our cooperation over hotspot issues in the Asia-Pacific. If we can succeed
in doing so, we will be able to accumulate experience for strategic cooperation
on a global scale, and demonstrate to the rest of the world our ability and
resolve to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. A case in point is
the Korean nuclear issue. China and the United States have built much consensus
on the issue. It is our common responsibility to advance denuclearization on
the Korean Peninsula and maintain peace in Northeast Asia. Yesterday was the
eighth anniversary of the September 19 Joint Statement. The day before
yesterday, China hosted an international workshop in Beijing to mark the tenth
anniversary of the Six-Party Talks. China believes that dialogue and
negotiation is the right path toward a nuclear-weapon-free Peninsula, and that
the Six-Party Talks have turned out to be an effective mechanism for dialogue.
The parties concerned should recommit themselves as soon as possible to the
Joint Statement, and work together to create the necessary conditions for the
restart of the Six-Party Talks. The US position on this is of vital importance.
China is ready to keep in touch with the US side.
We
are also ready to cooperate with the United States on other regional hotspot
issues such as Afghanistan. Ten days ago, the second China-US collaborative
training course for Afghan diplomats was launched here in DC. I sent a
congratulatory message to the program. Afghanistan is now in a phase of crucial
transition. Whether the country can proceed smoothly with domestic
reconciliation and reconstruction concerns the common interests of China, the
United States and other countries in the region. China-US cooperation on
Afghanistan has just started; there is great potential and room for enhanced
cooperation. If our two countries can work with each other and bring out our
respective strength, we can turn the issue into a new highlight in our
bilateral cooperation.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
Not
long ago, President Xi and President Obama met again on the margins of the G20
summit in St Petersburg. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to this
new model of major-country relationship. Yet the building of such a
relationship requires not only political guidance from our leaders, but also
and more importantly, the involvement and support of people across the society
in both countries, including the continuous intellectual input from the
academia. The Brookings Institution is one of the most influential think-tanks
in the United States. According to my American friends, to find out what
the US government will do next, one only has to look at what the Brookings
Institution is working on. The Brookings Institution has always had a keen
interest in US relations with China. For this purpose, it has set up John L.
Thornton China Center, bringing together many renowned experts on China-US
relations and doing a great deal of work in promoting bilateral ties. I hope
and I am confident that as China and the United States build this new model of
major-country relationship, the Brookings Institution will continue to play a
positive role and make an important contribution.
Thank
you. Now I will be glad to take your questions.”
In
conclusion, he included most major cooperation and issues between China and
US, from the new model to popular international affairs.
Wang Yi,
Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, “Toward a New Model of Major-Country Relations Between China and the
United States”, Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C., September 21,
2013, www.china.org.cn
--Michael
Zijing Wu
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