Experts views on China-US relations

Experts views on China-US relations

Editor's note: On Tuesday, the 2023 China-US Public Diplomacy Summit took place in Beijing, with participation from over 40 experts. The event was co-hosted by Renmin University of China, China Public Diplomacy Association, and China Daily. Here are highlights from the speeches delivered by some of the attendees.

JIN DING/CHINA DAILY

Universities bridges to understanding

China-US relations are the most important bilateral relations of the 21st century. Currently, the world is undergoing unprecedented changes. China and the United States, as the largest developing country and the largest developed country, have closely intertwined interests. The combined economic output of the two countries accounts for over one-third of the world's total output, their populations represent nearly one-fourth of the global population, and the bilateral trade volume constitutes around one-fifth of the world's total. China and the United States share extensive common interests, and the cooperation and competition between the two countries not only affects their own interests but also has significant implications for peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

In his speech on Nov 15 at the Welcome Dinner by friendly organizations in the United States, President Xi Jinping emphasized once again that the future of the world requires China and the United States to cooperate. China and the US need to handle their relations from the perspective of grasping the overall trend of the world and striving in the direction of the "Five Pillars" supporting the "San Francisco Vision" — namely, establishing correct perceptions, jointly managing differences effectively, promoting mutual beneficial cooperation, sharing the responsibilities of major countries, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges.

Universities are where cultural traditions are passed on and where ideas and academia converge. As the first new type of regular university founded by the Communist Party of China, Renmin University of China has always taken on the mission and responsibility of promoting progress for humanity and seeking common ground for the world. We are actively contributing to the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind and the development of a new type of international relations. We focus on cultivating strategic talents with a global perspective and have established the Sino-French Institute, Silk Road School and College of International Organizations. We have also cooperated with 311 universities and international organizations in 61 countries and regions, including 34 American universities, establishing enduring partnerships. Embracing the principles of resource sharing and mutually beneficial cooperation, we have strengthened bilateral and multilateral educational exchanges and cooperation. Furthermore, we strive to enhance the integration and mutual learning of civilizations from different countries. We host high-level forums such as the Tongzhou Global Development Forum, "China and the World Dialogue" International Forum, and the China-US Student Leaders' Financial Dialogue Forum. Through academic exchanges and dialogues with Chinese and foreign experts, scholars, and youth, we promote academic prosperity.

Zhang Donggang, chairman of the University Council of Renmin University of China

Media should play an important role

China-US relations are the most important bilateral relations in the world today. An ancient Chinese poem says "Yesterday's Bitterness, Today's Warmth" aptly captures the common hopes and expectations of people in both countries and beyond that the two countries can build a sound and amicable relationship.

The "San Francisco Vision" has set the course for sound relations between China and the US. Following that course will promote the continuous improvement and development of bilateral relations, as well as contribute to global peace and development.

China and the United States have wide-ranging common interests, including those in traditional areas such as trade and agriculture, but also those in emerging fields such as climate action and artificial intelligence. Win-win cooperation has been the enduring narrative of China-US relations over the past half-century. That cooperation has been mutually beneficial and it is something that both sides should continue to strive to strengthen. Chinese and American media should play a more proactive role in this regard.

Face-to-face dialogue and heartfelt communication between the two peoples can better resolve differences and build consensus. In the face of the significant "deficit in understanding" and "deficit in trust" that hinder the improvement of Sino-US relations, China Daily holds true to its mission to be a connector between China and the world. As part of its efforts to serve as a bridge between China and the US, China Daily continually organizes distinctive and branded events to facilitate dialogue and exchanges. Today's China-US public diplomacy forum, jointly organized by China Daily, Renmin University of China, and China Public Diplomacy Association is the latest example.

Starting from San Francisco, China-US relations have entered a new period of development opportunities. We believe that with the concerted efforts of various sectors in China and the United States, bilateral relations will continue to advance in a direction that serves the common well-being of the peoples of both countries.

Sun Shangwu, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Daily

Climate change important part of regional cooperation

Climate change is affecting every corner of our planet. It is amplifying the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, including heat waves, rainfall, droughts and storms. Our region has already experienced the severe consequences of these climate-induced phenomena.

Countries must speed up implementing their commitment to achieving national net-zero targets. Above 80 percent of Asian and Pacific countries have pledged to reach net-zero carbon or greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century. Recognizing that this transition is also an opportunity to enhance economic competitiveness in a new low-carbon economy, countries must expedite efforts to ensure these goals are met ahead of schedule.

Yet, amid these challenges, there remains hope that we can reverse the current trajectory by taking immediate, substantial and sustained steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the Asia-Pacific region there are promising developments that warrant our attention and support.

Over the past decade, global renewable energy capacity has more than doubled, with China leading the way by tripling its own capacity. Notably, renewable energy sources now constitute over half of China's power capacity. While this progress is commendable, the world needs to triple renewable energy and simultaneously double energy efficiency by 2030.

Enhancing nature's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide is a pivotal strategy for achieving carbon neutrality. However, investment in this area remains very insufficient. And many countries lack the necessary management capabilities. China has demonstrated effective policies and technologies for transforming deserts into forests, restoring wetlands and making cities greener. These valuable experiences and resources should be shared and leveraged to support other countries and their pursuit of net-zero objectives.

Armida Alisjahbana, under-secretary-general of the United Nations and executive secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

Commitments must be fully implemented

The current global situation is complex and tumultuous, marked by ongoing conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts. Major power relations are strained, the global economic recovery is sluggish, and multilateral cooperation is weakening. Unilateralism, protectionism and confrontational blocs are on the rise, and the world faces grave global challenges such as climate change.

Against this backdrop, the meeting between President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden on Nov 15 in San Francisco was significant, stabilizing Sino-US relations and raising hopes that the global situation can take a turn for the better. The "San Francisco Vision" that was the fruit of the summit offers strategic guidance on critical issues and an overarching blueprint for global peace and development. History shows that such high-level meetings are indispensable for steering Sino-US relations in a positive direction.

To realize the "San Francisco Vision", the commitments made during the summit must be fully implemented, particularly on sensitive issues involving Chinese sovereignty, territorial integrity and fundamental principles. Any actions that try to undermine or hollow out the one-China principle, send wrong signals to Taiwan separatists, or incite color revolutions within China must cease. The successful realization of the "San Francisco Vision" lies in translating agreements into concrete actions that span diverse areas such as trade, technology and people-to-people exchanges.

Issues such as climate change cooperation are hindered by the US' actions, including its export curbs on technology and its targeting of numerous Chinese companies. Overcoming the differences between the two sides is crucial to extend the depth and scope of collaboration in addressing global challenges. The summit's direction should guide relations even in the face of challenges, avoiding any deviation or loss of control. Both governments need to properly manage attempts to disrupt the relations between the two countries and any unforeseen events.

Incidents, such as the sensationalizing of the so-called spy balloon early this year, must be addressed responsibly, with a focus on preventing relations being derailed. The South China Sea situation deserves particular attention in this regard as the US' increasing military presence and provocations are escalating tensions and creating risks of misjudgment. Any incidents would pose a serious threat to the implementation of the "San Francisco Vision".

Popularizing the "San Francisco Vision" requires garnering widespread support from the people of both nations. The fundamental choice is between the two countries being adversaries or partners, and this must be addressed responsibly. A partnership based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation is the only viable path given the interdependence and potential consequences of conflict.

Breaking free from Cold War mentalities, overcoming zero-sum competition, and forging a new path for international relations, particularly among major countries, are essential for realizing the positive future envisioned in San Francisco.

Cui Tiankai, former Chinese ambassador to the United States.

Cooperation crucial for AI, climate change governance

The meeting between the Chinese and US presidents in San Francisco last month was important because it provided a base for stabilizing bilateral relations amid growing disputes between the two major countries, anxiety among its people, global economic stagnation and geopolitical conflicts around the world.

China-US relations are complicated, as well as very important for the world, so the leaders of the two countries should hold strategic dialogues more often — at least once a year. The voice of the head of state is decisive for bilateral relations. And the consensus that the two leaders arrived at in San Francisco needs firm and thorough implementation.

In addition to the head-of-state dialogue mechanism, China and the US should establish more mechanisms for bilateral policy communication, which could be supportive for more efficient high-level talks. Considering the complicated relationship between China and the US, the two countries need to keep expanding, improving and innovating the bilateral communication mechanisms to cope with the changing situations.

Let's cite two examples. The development of artificial intelligence is one of the most severe new challenges for humanity. The European Union has made efforts to formulate mechanisms for AI regulation, while China and the US, as two giants in AI technology, have little constructive talk on the issue. It may prove disastrous if China and the US cannot find a way to work together, in five to 10 years, on regulating AI development so that it only serves people.

The recent United Nations Climate Conference COP28, showed that international cooperation on climate change is extremely important but the international community took decades to understand climate change with loads of disagreements still remaining.

Despite a bumpy road ahead, China and the US must cooperate for the sake of their people and for global peace and development. The two countries must maintain communication to establish constructive mechanisms to promote China-US cooperation.

Zhu Guangyao, former Chinese vice-minister of finance

Mutual understanding needs art of communication

Every major global issue: climate change, the impact of pandemics, the consequences of economic poverty, the conditions which breed terrorists, the lethal combination of new kinds of technology creating increasingly deadly weapons ending up in the wrong hands — these and many more — all of these become worse and more dangerous in the world. While every person in the world knows that 100 percent of the world's global problems will be solved faster or managed better if the world's two leading countries, the US and China work together.

China has put a lot of efforts into articulating its vision of the world it wishes to see in the future. It has also invited all other civilizations and countries to do the same — to join in a collective effort to reach a consensus on what we all wish to create as our world in the future. I applaud and admire this effort. I would like to see the US articulate its view of the world it wishes to see in the future. The two countries should engage in a discussion on this topic that one hopes would lead to a mutual shared view of what the two countries are trying to achieve.

To do this successfully they should do as follows. To begin with, they must engage with one another in a manner that is consistent with the world in which we now all live in the 21st century. Both sides must approach one another with humility, curiosity, understanding and respect if not empathy. Leadership in the 21st century demands it.

It means the two presidents as well as their key people must change their behavior and communicate with one another with much greater frequency, including seeing one another in person as many times per year as possible. It is only through much greater frequency, intensity and depth of engagement that the people on both sides can know one another well enough to give them the knowledge they need to minimize the chances of making mistakes and maximize the chances of making informed, nuanced judgments.

Besides, both sides must use words that the other side will hear. A famous American political pollster and adviser, Frank Luntz, reminded me that it is not what you say that matters. It is what your listener hears that matters.

John Thornton, co-chair of the Board of Trustees of the Asia Society, chair emeritus of the Brookings Institution

Decoupling is risky for China-US ties

During these times of international tensions, those who support decoupling between the East and West, between the US and China, add fuel to these international tensions.

The US government discusses, and even European government in Brussels discussed the possibility of decoupling, de-risking with China. But the companies inside the United States actually understand that they would be the ones who will be damaged most. Just like the European companies in Germany and the Netherlands. They are the losers of these geopolitical tensions. So I think that these international tensions are not just between the US and China, but the tension is also between US companies and the US government.

I see China's efforts to welcome American CEOs to Beijing, open the door for investment and keep the relationship at not only government-to-government but also government-to-business.

Decoupling will not stop the development of China, which is also something that no one would really want to see. Because we do want to see a prosperous China. We do want to have a big market for our exports product. So it is also in our own interest to make sure that China's economy is stable and prosperous.

Michele Geraci, former undersecretary of State at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development