Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi has called on the United States to collaborate with China in addressing mutual perceptions, which he identifies as the root cause of tensions between the two nations.
During a meeting in Beijing on Wednesday with Professor Graham Allison of Harvard University, Wang emphasized the importance of building a stable and constructive relationship between the two major powers.
Wang Yi, who serves as the director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, expressed appreciation for Professor Allison’s efforts to enhance mutual understanding between China and the United States.
He highlighted the Chinese philosophy of “harmony without uniformity,” promoting the idea of embracing diversity while seeking common ground. This, he contrasted with what he described as the Western tendency towards zero-sum thinking, where one’s gain is another’s loss.
“This concept provides a foundation for building shared interests and fostering peaceful coexistence among nations, including between China and the U.S.,” Wang said.
Wang reiterated Chinese President Xi Jinping’s three principles—mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation—as China’s fundamental approach to handling relations with the United States.
He encouraged individuals across American society to contribute to a more objective and constructive understanding of China, promoting a rational and forward-looking dynamic between the two countries.
Professor Allison acknowledged similarities between the Chinese concept of “harmony without uniformity” and the American tradition of embracing diversity.
He emphasized that China and the United States, living on the same planet and deeply intertwined, must seek a strategic posture of coexistence to avoid conflict. He called for a new framework for relations based on mutual respect and pledged to continue supporting communication and the steady development of bilateral ties.
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Wang Yi urges U.S. to work with China on issue of mutual perception
cgtn.com
