BEIJING — Forward of an anticipated digital assembly with U.S. President Joe Biden, Chinese language President Xi Jinping mentioned the nation is prepared to work with the U.S. — on situation of mutual respect.
Beijing sometimes makes use of the time period “mutual respect” in calling for extra favorable communication with the U.S.
“Right now, China-U.S. relations are at a critical historical juncture,” Xi mentioned, in accordance to a letter addressed to the Nationwide Committee on U.S.-China Relations, a New York-based non-profit.
“Both countries will gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation,” Xi mentioned within the letter. “Cooperation is the only right choice.”
Biden and Xi are set to hold a virtual meeting as soon as next week, Reuters reported just a few hours forward of the letter’s readout, citing a supply acquainted with the matter. In early October, CNBC reported the 2 leaders deliberate to maintain such a gathering earlier than the top of the yr.
“Following the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, China stands ready to work with the United States to enhance exchanges and cooperation across the board,” in accordance to the letter.
It was learn in English by China’s ambassador to the U.S., Qin Gang, throughout the annual gala of the Nationwide Committee on U.S.-China Relations. The occasion was livestreamed Wednesday morning Beijing time.
Xi additionally mentioned China would love to work with the U.S. to “address regional and international issues as well as global challenges.”
He added the 2 international locations want to “properly manage differences” within the meantime, “so as to bring China-U.S. relations back to the right track of sound and steady development.”
Total, Xi’s feedback maintained the agency, calm tone of most language from Beijing on relations with the U.S., moderately than a number of the harsher remarks Chinese language officers have made in the previous few months.
The letter comes as Xi is predicted to consolidate his energy additional at a high-level political assembly in Beijing this week. The Chinese language chief has abolished presidential time period limits, permitting him to keep on past two phrases.
Learn extra about China from CNBC Professional
Tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated within the final a number of years.
Biden’s predecessor, former President Donald Trump, started to take a tricky stance on China, starting with commerce. Trump levied tariffs on billions of {dollars}’ price of imports from China, and put a number of Chinese language tech corporations on a blacklist that successfully prevents them from shopping for important provides from U.S. companies.
The Biden administration has maintained Trump’s powerful place, and labored extra with conventional U.S. allies to collectively put strain on Beijing.
Xi had joined Trump in sending congratulatory messages to the Nationwide Committee on U.S.-China Relations’ gala dinner in 2017, according to the Chinese embassy in the U.S. Again then, Xi used comparable language as he did this week in noting the 2 leaders agreed to “properly handle differences on the basis of mutual respect.”
