For the First Time, the US and China ‘Reconfirm Their Strategies’

The sixth round of strategic and economic talks and the fifth round of high-level consultations over cultural exchange [between China and the U.S.] have both ended in success. The list of items enumerating the successes attained during the talks revealed bilateral cooperation on over 300 issues. Not only is this figure a new record, but the issues agreed upon were all items of genuine significance. Both countries clearly agreed on their desired plans for regional issues, as well on those complex issues that encompassed wide-ranging, global consideration.

As Premier Xi Jinping so poignantly indicated in his opening address at the meeting, cooperation between the U.S. and China is in the best interests of both countries and the rest of the world, whereas mutual confrontation would certainly result in a calamity for everyone. Both sides need to take a long and broad view of the path ahead, cooperate and support one another, avoid confrontation, seek the benefits inherent in mutual relations and wade through all situations that obstruct cooperation. There can be no room for mistrust in U.S.-China relations, and all problems that arise must be solved mutually. Neither country can afford to let issues lead them down garden paths. During the course of the meeting, President Obama also sent a written message stressing that the United States welcomed a composed, peaceful and prosperous rising China, and that it would strive hard to work together with China to create a new relationship between the superpowers. Even though complexities exist between the U.S. and China, the U.S. was determined to cooperate and define the mutual context of their overall relationship. Both countries’ leaders’ words were meaningful and heartfelt. The mutual spirit of cooperation generated applause. The agreement demonstrated that the U.S. and China had both worked hard, and that in a short time they had brushed aside the haze covering their relationship. It was a collaboration to create a new form of relationship between superpowers, and it “reconfirmed their strategies.”

Both sides “reconfirmed” each other’s strategic intents. The greatest hazards facing U.S.-China relations are irrational misunderstandings, and it’s becoming increasingly important that both sides work to communicate their strategies effectively. Throughout the meeting, both China and the U.S. strove to make their future strategic directions clear to one another. China emphasized its unswerving path towards peace, as well as its resolute desire to promote security and prosperity throughout the Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world. It said it wasn’t trying to squeeze the U.S. out of the Asia-Pacific in any way. The U.S. emphasized that its “pivot to Asia” strategy and alliance system was not directed at China and that it was not planning to contain China’s growth.

These statements were not mere foreign relations rhetoric; they were a reflection of the fundamental strategic orientations of both sides. Both China and the United States have realized that the world has changed fundamentally and that there is no place for a “New Cold War.” No one denies that we have entered the 21st century, and that we have left 20th century – and especially 19th century – thinking and conduct far behind us.

Both sides have taken effective steps to realize this “reconfirmation.” U.S.-China relations are extremely important in these times, and they are also one of the most complicated issues facing these countries. Both countries have areas in which they cooperate and in which they compete. There are even areas in which they compete while cooperating. For a long time, there have been concerns about these complex issues as we look into the distant future. If handled appropriately, it will be beneficial to both countries. If handled poorly, things could deteriorate into contention and then even further into conflict. The crucial point is that we need to eliminate all stops and proceed with a “proactive agenda” — to carry out our great intentions and to carry them out all the way through to their completion.

The following areas are probably worth considering: first, there are talks on bilateral investment treaties (BIT). Mutual trade and investment between China and the U.S. has already passed the $1 trillion mark. U.S. investment in China is expanding rapidly, and the U.S. has already become the second-largest destination for Chinese foreign investment. Many talks have been held on various investment protocols, and they are all progressing positively. In the interests of boosting trade and moving to a higher plateau of mutual economic benefit, both sides have agreed to step up the pace of these talks and to strive to complete them as quickly as possible.

The second area is responding to climate change. The U.S. and China are both confident and determined in reaching their respective 2020 goals for carbon emissions reduction. They are both cooperating on research into post-2020 carbon emissions reduction strategies, and they are both cooperating in attaining targets for clean energy production and energy conversation. This will be beneficial to the world today and will also be a gift to future generations. Such cooperation is an exciting example of the groundbreaking progress that is being made between China and the United States.

The third point is the strengthening of military relations. China’s navy is currently taking part in the “2014 Pacific Rim Exercises.” The U.S. and Chinese navies are actively negotiating for the establishment of norms for both the reporting of important military movements, and the safe conduct of military affairs in international waters. The U.S. and China have a long history of cultivating cooperation over these matters; they continue to work together toward overcoming resistances, establishing deeper mutual ties and fostering strategies to settle any key points of concern.

There is one more thing that needs to be said about the growing intimacy between the people of the U.S. and China. Both countries have, for some time, been investigating the potential for long-term business and study visas. If the citizens of both countries can enjoy longer visas, this will create more incentive for “letting those who talk about overseas travel to just go ahead and do it.” Contact opportunities between Chinese and American people will grow deeper and more numerous. Bonds and friendships between Americans and Chinese will also grow closer.

We have mutually “reconfirmed” all points on which we might diverge. Though it is inevitable that divisions in our alliance will always arise, the important point is that we must meet these differences with mutual respect. We must treat each other equally and bear in mind the maxim, “do not do to others what you would not have them do to you.” Those in the U.S. are also well aware of this famous phrase from a Chinese sage of ages past — “the golden rule.” Both sides need to take this phrase to heart and put it into practice. This is especially true for the United States, which must always strive to practice what it preaches.

Both China and the U.S. agree that there are no benefits to engaging in conflict on the open seas. There can also be no room for contradictions nor for disputes over ocean or land territorial rights. In fact, both China and the U.S. are guaranteeing freedom of sailing passage through the world’s oceans, and they realize that cooperating to protect regional security can only be in the best interests of everyone.

China and the U.S. are both superpowers. They both possess their own senses of dignity and responsibility. Engaging in “megaphone diplomacy” will just complicate matters and create issues. When problems arise, the U.S. and China will sit down and talk the matters through. Discussing problems and creating opportunities for cooperation are always the best policies.

Both the U.S. and China are bearing heavy responsibilities while building a new form of relationship between superpowers. Not only does this arduous struggle call for a “reconfirmation of strategies,” but even more importantly, it requires “actions that bring forth guarantees.” Both the U.S. and China have put their strategic consensus and earnest desires into fulfilling and transforming their ties, and these acts can only be favorable to both bilateral relations and the rest of the world at large.