Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng emphasized the necessity for China and the U.S. to achieve long-term peaceful coexistence, highlighting their obligation as two major global powers. Xie made these remarks via video during the 2025 Duke-UNC China Leadership Summit on Friday.
Addressing the attendees, Xie urged the U.S. to adopt a correct perception of China. He stated, “If we see each other as rivals and engage in a race to the bottom, neither of us would be a winner, and the world would suffer. If we choose to be each other’s partner and help one another succeed, we can prosper together, with the whole world benefiting from it.”
Xie stressed that the pressing priority is for the U.S. to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and properly handle the Taiwan question in accordance with the three China-U.S. Joint Communiqués. He called on the U.S. to resolutely oppose “Taiwan independence,” stop upgrading its substantive relations with Taiwan, and cease efforts in helping Taiwan expand its so-called “international space.” “Trying to use Taiwan to contain China would only invite trouble for oneself,” Xie added.
The ambassador highlighted the strong economic ties between China and the U.S., noting that bilateral trade last year exceeded $680 billion, with approximately 73,000 American companies investing in China. He cautioned that any attempt to decouple and disrupt supply chains would cause a heavy blow, and any trade war or tariff war would inflict greater harm on those who initiate it.
Xie reiterated China’s efforts in combating drug issues, stating that in 2019, China became the first country to officially schedule fentanyl-related substances as a controlled category. “The progress in China-U.S. counternarcotics cooperation in recent years has also been widely recognized. Wielding the baton of tariffs on the pretext of the fentanyl issue would only be counterproductive,” he said.
Highlighting the emerging global challenges and rising hotspot issues, Xie urged both countries to live up to their responsibilities as major powers by upholding peace, development, and cooperation, while rejecting hegemonism, unilateralism, and protectionism.
