BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping said a successful partnership between China and the United States is an opportunity for both countries to enable each other’s development, not an obstacle, according to state media on Wednesday.
“China wants to be a partner and friend of the United States. It will benefit not only both countries but the world,” Xi said in remarks in a letter to the annual awards dinner of the National Commission for US-China Affairs in 2024, according to a report by CCTV.
Xi pointed out that, according to the letter, China-US relations are among the most important bilateral relations in the world, which influence the future and fate of humanity.
The two countries are at odds over national security concerns, ongoing trade disputes, as well as China’s actions in the South China Sea and increased military exercises around Taiwan.
Trade relations have deteriorated over the past year, centering on issues such as restrictions on electric vehicles and advanced semiconductors.
“China has always treated China-US relations according to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and has always believed that the success of China and the United States is an opportunity for each other,” Xi said.
