US-China Relations Updates

November 15, 2023, San Francisco

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

It is a great pleasure to meet with friends from all walks of life in San Francisco, USA, to renew friendship and discuss mutual goodwill. My first visit to the United States was in 1985, and it was through San Francisco that I entered the country. My first impression of the United States came from San Francisco, and I still keep a photo taken at the Golden Gate Bridge.

First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the National Committee on US-China Relations, the US-China Business Council, the Asia Society, the Council on Foreign Relations, the US Chamber of Commerce, and other friendly organizations for organizing this event. I would like to extend sincere greetings to American friends who have long been committed to the development of China-US relations, and convey good wishes to the friendly American people.

San Francisco has witnessed a century of interactions between the Chinese and American people. 158 years ago, a large number of Chinese workers came to the United States to build the transcontinental railroad connecting the East and West coasts, embarking on a difficult journey. They built the oldest Chinatown in the Western Hemisphere in San Francisco. From here, bilateral trade between China and the United States has reached $760 billion, with accumulated bilateral investments exceeding $260 billion. We have established 284 pairs of friendly provinces and cities, with over 300 flights per week and more than 5 million people traveling between our two countries annually. This is an extraordinary picture painted by nearly a quarter of the world’s population.

San Francisco has witnessed the joint efforts of China and the United States in building a better world. 78 years ago, after joining hands to defeat fascism and militarism, China and the United States jointly participated in the San Francisco Conference, which led to the establishment of the United Nations. China was the first country to sign the United Nations Charter. From here, the post-war international order was established, more than 100 countries achieved national independence, and billions of people finally escaped from poverty. The forces of world peace, development, and progress have continued to grow. This is the fruitful outcome achieved by the people of all countries and the international community working together.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

The foundation of China-US relations lies in the efforts of the people. During World War II, our two countries fought together for peace and justice. General Claire Lee Chennault led American volunteers to the Chinese battlefield and formed the famous Flying Tigers. They not only directly fought against the Japanese aggressors but also established the perilous Hump route to transport essential supplies to China. Over 1,000 Chinese and American crew members sacrificed their lives along this route. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, in 1942, 16 B-25 bombers from the United States launched a raid on Japan. Due to a lack of fuel, Colonel James H. Doolittle and other pilots parachuted into China. The Chinese military and civilians courageously rescued them, but the Japanese army retaliated by massacring 250,000 Chinese civilians. The Chinese people have not forgotten the Flying Tigers. We have built a memorial hall in Chongqing dedicated to their memory, and we have invited over 1,000 Flying Tigers veterans and their families to return to China. I have also maintained correspondence with some of them. Recently, two Flying Tigers veterans, 103-year-old David M. Jones and 98-year-old Richard Cole, visited China, climbed the Great Wall, and received a warm welcome from the Chinese people. The American people have not forgotten the Chinese people who risked their lives to rescue American soldiers. There is a memorial hall in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, dedicated to the Doolittle Raid, and the descendants of the rescued American soldiers often come here to express their gratitude to the brave Chinese people. I believe that the friendship between the Chinese and American peoples, forged through blood and fire, will be passed down from generation to generation.

The door of China-US relations was opened by the people. The two countries were once isolated and in confrontation for 22 years. It was the trend of the times that brought us together, the common interests that transcended our differences, and the desires of the people that broke the ice between our nations. In 1971, the US table tennis delegation came to Beijing, and the small ball set the big ball rolling. Soon after, the first US congressional delegation led by Mr. Mansfield arrived, followed by the first delegation of US governors, including Governor Robert Ray of Iowa. Many businesspeople also came, sparking a wave of friendly exchanges between China and the US. After the world emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, I met with Dr. Kissinger, Mr. Bill Gates, Mr. Schumer, and several other senators in Beijing. I told them that the foundation of China-US relations lies in the people, the future lies in the youth, and the vitality lies in the local level. I welcome more US governors and congressmen to visit China, and I welcome people from all walks of life in the US to come to China.

The story of China-US relations is written by the people. The first time I visited the United States, I stayed at the home of the De Vochek couple in Iowa, and I still remember the address was 2911 Bonnie Street. It was my first face-to-face encounter with the American people, and it was an unforgettable experience of living together with the American people. To me, they are America. I also discovered that although the two countries have different histories, cultures, social systems, and development paths, the people are kind, friendly, hardworking, and practical. They love their country, their families, and their lives, and they have a positive view and interest in each other. It is the convergence of goodwill and friendship that has bridged the vast Pacific Ocean. It is the bilateral visits and exchanges of the people that have brought China-US relations back on track from time to time. I believe that once the door of China-US relations is opened, it will never be closed again. Once the cause of friendship between the peoples is initiated, it will never be abandoned halfway. The tree of friendship between the peoples has grown, and it will surely withstand wind and rain.

The future of China-US relations is created by the people. The more difficult the times, the more we need to strengthen the bond between the people, enhance communication, and have more people stand up and support China-US relations. We should build more bridges and roads for people-to-people exchanges, rather than create various obstacles or generate a “chilling effect.” Today, President Biden and I have reached important consensus, and both countries will introduce more measures to facilitate personnel exchanges and promote cultural exchanges, including increasing direct flights between China and the US, holding high-level dialogues on tourism, and optimizing visa application processes. We look forward to more interactions, visits, and exchanges between the people of the two countries, and jointly continue to write a new chapter of friendship between the people in the new era! I also look forward to California and San Francisco continuing to take the lead in the journey of China-US friendship!

Ladies and gentlemen, friends!

We are in a time full of challenges and changes, but also a time full of hope. The future of the world requires China-US cooperation. As the largest developing country and a developed country, China and the US should handle their relationship well. In the face of a complex and ever-changing world, China and the US need to have broad minds, demonstrate the demeanor of major powers, shoulder major responsibilities, and play major roles.

I have been thinking, how can we steer the giant ship of China-US relations away from reefs and shallows, through storms and waves, without deviating, slowing down, or colliding? The first question to answer is whether China and the US are adversaries or partners. This is a fundamental and overarching question. The answer is simple: if we regard each other as the primary competitor, the greatest geopolitical challenge, and an ever-approaching threat, it will inevitably lead to wrong policies, actions, and outcomes. China is willing to be a partner and friend of the United States. The fundamental principle for handling China-US relations is mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.

Mutual respect is the basic courtesy between people and the minimum guideline for China and the US to coexist. The United States has a unique history, culture, and geographical location, and we fully respect that. China’s socialist path with Chinese characteristics has been developed under the guidance of scientific socialism and rooted in the continuous Chinese civilization of over 5,000 years, and we are equally proud of it. The two paths are different but are choices made by the people, leading to shared values for all humanity, and they should be respected.

Peaceful coexistence is a fundamental principle of international relations and a bottom line that both China and the US, as two major countries, must uphold. Regarding China,we believe in peaceful development and have pursued a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. We have never sought hegemony or expansion. China’s development is not a threat to anyone, but rather an opportunity for the world. It is important to abandon the zero-sum mentality and Cold War thinking and embrace the concept of win-win cooperation. The world is vast enough to accommodate the common development and prosperity of China, the US, and other countries.

Win-win cooperation is the right path for both China and the US. In today’s interconnected and interdependent world, countries need to work together to address global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, terrorism, and economic imbalances. China and the US have extensive common interests and room for cooperation in various fields. We should expand cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, culture, and other areas, and jointly promote innovation, sustainable development, and the well-being of our peoples. By seeking common ground while reserving differences, we can find solutions to our disagreements through dialogue and consultation.

China-US relations are facing a critical juncture. We need to make the right choices and take the right actions to ensure that our relationship stays on the right track. It requires the joint efforts of both countries, as well as the support and participation of the people. We must not allow differences and disputes to define our relationship, but rather focus on common interests and areas of cooperation. Let us work together to build a stable, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship between China and the US, and contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the world. Thank you.

Win-win cooperation is the trend of the times and the essence of China-US relations. China is committed to high-quality development, while the United States is focused on revitalizing its economy. There is unlimited potential for cooperation between the two sides, and they can achieve mutual success and mutual benefits. China’s proposals for jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as global development, security, and civilization initiatives, have always been open to all countries, including the United States. China is also willing to participate in the multilateral cooperation initiatives proposed by the United States. This morning, President Biden and I agreed, in the spirit of mutual respect, to promote dialogue and cooperation between our two countries in the fields of diplomacy, trade, culture, education, technology, agriculture, military, law enforcement, and artificial intelligence, among others. We will expand the list of cooperation and make the cooperation cake even bigger. I want to inform you all that China deeply sympathizes with the harm that fentanyl has caused to the American people, especially the youth. President Biden and I have agreed to establish a working group on drug control to further enhance cooperation and assist the United States in addressing drug abuse. I would like to announce here that in order to expand exchanges between the Chinese and American people, especially the younger generation, China is willing to invite 50,000 American youth to China for exchange and study in the next five years.

Recently, three giant pandas from the Washington National Zoo returned to China. I heard that many American people, especially children, bid them farewell and went to the zoo specifically for that purpose. I also learned that the San Diego Zoo and the people of California eagerly anticipate the return of giant pandas to California. Giant pandas are messengers of friendship between the Chinese and American people. We are willing to continue cooperation with the United States in giant panda conservation, and strive to fulfill the wishes of the people of California, and enhance the friendly feelings between the two peoples.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends!

China is the world’s largest developing country. It is the ardent wish of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people to work better, live better, and provide a better environment for their children to grow up. The Communist Party of China serves the people, and the people’s longing for a better life is our goal and the heart we must hold onto. After a century of exploration and continuous struggle, we have found a development path that suits our own conditions and are comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese characteristics.

We are committed to unity and hard work, so that all Chinese people can move towards modernization together. Having a large population is China’s basic national condition. No matter how great the achievements are, they will become insignificant when divided by 1.4 billion, and no matter how small the problems are, they will become significant when multiplied by 1.4 billion. This is the difficulty of being large. At the same time, being large also has its advantages. The leadership of the Communist Party of China, the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and the support and endorsement of the broad masses of the people are our greatest advantages. China is a super large-scale economy and has formed a super large-scale market. Not long ago, we successfully held the 6th China International Import Expo, attracting more than 3,400 companies from 128 countries, including the United States. The exhibition area of the United States was the largest for six consecutive sessions. The modernization of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people is a tremendous opportunity that China brings to the world.

We are committed to common prosperity, so that every Chinese person can enjoy a better life. Escaping poverty is the millennium dream of the Chinese nation, and common prosperity is the common aspiration of the Chinese people. When I was under 16 years old, I lived and worked with farmers in a small village in northern Shaanxi. I knew what the people were worried about and what they hoped for. From then until now, half a century has passed, but being among the people makes me feel grounded, and being with the people gives me strength. I will dedicate myself to serving the people and never let them down. When I first assumed the position of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of the People’s Republic of China, there were still 100 million people in China living below the poverty line defined by the United Nations. After eight years of arduous efforts, all of these impoverished populations have been lifted out of poverty, achieving the poverty reduction goal of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule. Over 1,800 Communist Party members have sacrificed their lives in poverty alleviation.

Our goal is not the prosperity of a few, but the common prosperity of all the people. Employment, education, healthcare, childcare, elderly care, housing, and the environment are the concrete issues that the ordinary people care about, and they are continuously integrated into the top-level design of China’s national development, becomingkey priorities for the government. China is implementing targeted poverty alleviation measures, promoting rural revitalization, and advancing the coordinated development of urban and rural areas. We are also actively developing social security systems, improving public services, and promoting fairer income distribution to ensure that the benefits of development are shared by all.

We are committed to comprehensive development, ensuring both material and spiritual abundance for people. The Chinese have long understood the saying, “When one has enough food and clothing, one knows contentment and honor.” Material poverty is not socialism, and spiritual impoverishment is not socialism either. Chinese-style modernization is a people-centered modernization, with one important goal being the continuous improvement of the country’s economic strength and people’s living standards, while also enriching people’s spiritual world, enhancing the overall level of civilization in society, and promoting the comprehensive development of individuals. I have proposed the Global Civilization Initiative to promote the international community’s resolution of the imbalance between material and spiritual aspects, and to jointly advance the continuous progress of human civilization.

We are committed to sustainable development, promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. The concepts of “unity of heaven and humanity” and “following the natural way” are important principles of China’s outstanding traditional culture. We all inhabit the same global village, and in our lifetime, we may not find another planet for human survival. There is a saying in English as well: “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” When I served as the governor of Fujian Province in 2002, I proposed that Fujian should become China’s first ecological province. After working in Zhejiang, in 2005, I put forward the concept that “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” which has now become a consensus among the Chinese people. Currently, nearly half of the global photovoltaic installed capacity is in China, over half of the global new energy vehicles are in China, and one-fourth of the global increase in green areas comes from China. We strive to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. We make promises and follow through.

We are committed to peaceful development and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The Chinese civilization inherits the concept of peace, harmony, and unity, and China does not have the genes for foreign aggression and expansion. The Chinese people have a deep memory of the turmoil and suffering they have experienced since modern times. I often say that the Chinese people are against war, seek stability, and long for peace in the world. The realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation relies on a peaceful and stable international environment. We will never follow the old path of achieving modernization through war, colonization, plunder, or coercion.

In over 70 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, China has not initiated any wars or conflicts or occupied an inch of foreign land. It is the only major country that has enshrined peaceful development in its constitution, the party charter of the ruling party, and elevated it to a national will. China is a beneficiary and upholder of the existing international order. We will firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. No matter how far we develop in the future, we will never seek hegemony or expansion, impose our will on others, establish spheres of influence, or engage in a cold or hot war with any country. China will adhere to the principles of dialogue without confrontation, partnership without alliance, and cooperation for mutual benefit, continuing to pursue an open strategy for win-win cooperation. China’s pursuit is not isolationist modernization but, together with other countries, to achieve a world modernization characterized by peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and shared prosperity, and to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends!

In the long course of history, the great waves wash away the sand, leaving behind the most valuable things. Regardless of how the situation changes, the historical logic of peaceful coexistence between China and the United States will not change, the fundamental desire of the people of both countries for exchanges and cooperation will not change, and the universal expectations of the world’s people for the stable development of China-US relations will not change. Any great undertaking must find its foundation, gather strength, and be jointly accomplished by the people. China-US friendship is such a great undertaking. Let us gather the strength of the people of both countries, carry forward China-US friendship, promote China-US relations, and make greater contributions to world peace and development!