US-China Cooperation Is the World’s Stabilizing Anchor

On November 12, Xi Jinping, president of the People’s Republic of China, and U.S. President Obama held a meeting at the Great Hall of the People. Xi indicated that China wished to work together with the United States, to forge a new future based on mutual respect and trust, on the avoidance of conflict and resistance, and on cooperative win-win policies for both countries.

Last year’s June meeting at the Annenberg Retreat between these U.S. and Chinese leaders was a fervently discussed topic. The latest meeting at Yingtai also drew much attention. Building on the Annenberg session, the heads of state of both countries held a historic discussion on “being non-restrictive,” an event which was clearly significant. If California’s Annenberg Ranch exemplified the rustic natural beauty of the United States, then Zhongnanhai’s Yingtai palace was also a symbolic location. It exemplifies China’s hospitality, its culture, and its history. In order to understand the China of today and the China of the future, it is necessary to understand China’s past and its culture. Yingtai truly is a place with history and culture.

Those Intent on Making a Great Journey Need to Stick to the Path and Keep Moving Forward

It has been 35 years since the U.S. and China established diplomatic relations, and over that time, that relationship has advanced steadily. However, differences remain between us, and some of them are sensitive in nature; these are difficult to avoid, and even trying to avoid them would be akin to denying reality. But differences should not be feared, and neither should sensitive issues. We need to stand together, look into the future, and persevere against the odds; only then can we set U.S.-China relations on the right track toward a stable, long-term future.

In fact, the consensus on U.S.-China relations is that in these differences, the positives well and truly outweigh the negatives. As an example, last year bilateral trade exceeded $520 billion, bilateral investment levels exceeded $100 billion, and personnel exchanges exceeded 400 million people. In addition, when it comes to tackling issues like climate change, anti-terrorism, and pushing toward resolution on Iranian and North Korean nuclear development, it requires both countries to put forward their most earnest efforts. It was on November 12 that the U.S. and China mutually declared the “U.S.-China Joint Announcement on Climate Change,” which sets forth plans by both governments for the year 2020 and beyond. It also demonstrated their mutual push toward ensuring that various protocols are enacted in time for the 2015 international climate change negotiations in Paris, the adoption of clean energy sources by both countries, and mutual cooperation on environmental issues. This truly was an immensely constructive and positive outcome.

It is proof that the U.S. and China have established a new form of relationship between superpowers. It symbolizes prosperity for the citizens of both countries, and holds benefits in promoting peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region, as well as peace, stability and prosperity throughout the world at large. As a result of this, U.S.-China cooperation can serve as anchors for world stability and as instruments for assisting in world peace. More and more, this is how U.S.-China relations are being recognized throughout the world. In thinking about how we can advance toward building this new relationship between superpowers in addition to strengthening contact through high-level talks, promoting strategic mutual trust is a way that we can also build upon a relationship of mutual respect. Examples of this include complete mutual respect of one another’s sovereign rights and territories, mutually respecting one another’s political systems and paths to development, and not trying to impose one’s own economic or political models on the other.

Xi also indicated that the U.S. and China need to enhance cultural exchanges, so that both countries develop accurate, guided public perceptions of one another. Xi specifically emphasized this point. Firmly and correctly shaping public opinion and discourse requires that both countries be frank with one another. Moreover, it requires cordial and effective measures to be taken by both sides. It is worth noting that although Obama’s visit to China was only a very short two days, seven standing members of the Politburo met with him during that time. This was an extremely rare courtesy, and it is a clear indicator of the enthusiasm among the high levels of Chinese government. It has also set the stage for future displays of cooperation between the U.S. and China. A new era is unfolding.

Obama also said that “both the United States and China want to expand the existing field of cooperation. Both want to deepen economic ties for purposes of profit. Both sides want to work together through constructive dialogue to work out our differences. Both sides want China and the United States to construct a new form of relationship between superpowers. I have great faith in the development of U.S.-Chinese relations.”* These words show that at a minimum, both sides have acknowledged that differences exist, and that they are willing to work together to overcome them.

The Pacific Is a Huge Ocean; There Is Enough Room for Both the U.S. and China

Will these words pan out? Can the vast Pacific Ocean accommodate differences and divergences? Are there still issues on the horizon that these superpowers cannot see? History has already demonstrated that good cooperation between the U.S. and China benefits citizens of both countries, the Asia-Pacific region, and the larger world. We need to persevere in developing high-level strategies and taking a long term perspective. We believe that come good or bad, we will never stop building this new model of relationship between the superpowers. Those who benefit will not only be the U.S. and China, but the Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world will be eager to share in the success, too.

*Editor’s note: In the original White House transcript of Obama’s statement, he does not use these precise words.