Isolation not a solution to Sino-US tensions

Differences between China and the United States cannot be resolved overnight, but isolation is not a solution due to the two nations' close connections and great convergence of interests, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday in Beijing.

Wang made the remark in the keynote speech at a symposium on international developments and China's diplomacy in 2018.

China and the US established diplomatic relations 40 years ago, a time at which China also launched its reform and opening-up, he said.

"Both historical processes have exerted a significant impact on the world," Wang said, noting that the progress achieved in China's reform and opening-up as well as in the Sino-US relationship far exceeded expectations.

Wang said the development of bilateral ties over the past 40 years has taught China and the US that cooperation serves the interests of both countries as well as the world, and no one benefits from confrontation. People with vision from both countries should stay focused on this valuable consensus, he added.

In the face of trade friction between the two sides, Wang said China resolutely safeguards its interests, national dignity and development rights; firmly upholds the rules-based multilateral trading system; and pursues an approach based on dialogue, mutual respect, equality and good-faith negotiations.

He called on the US to shrug off its zero-sum mentality, positively view China's growth and continue to broaden prospects for the mutual benefit of both nations. "There is no need for the US to impose an imagined rivalry on itself," Wang said.

During the speech, Wang recalled the meeting between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit earlier this month in Argentina, saying the two leaders agreed to advance bilateral ties on the basis of coordination, cooperation and stability.

Wang also pledged to safeguard Chinese citizens around the world through consular protection, saying the nation cares about each and every Chinese national's safety.

The country will not turn a deaf ear to bullying practices that harm the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, Wang said.

The senior diplomat reviewed the international situation for the year, saying uncertainties are growing due to the fact that unilateralism is on the rise and the existing international system is under attack.

Despite the challenges, Wang said, China is focused on reform and opening-up, remains committed to upholding economic globalization, free trade and multilateralism, and will develop win-win cooperation, particularly under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

This is the fifth time Wang attended the symposium and reviewed China's diplomacy.

Su Hao, a professor of Asia-Pacific studies at China Foreign Affairs University, said summit diplomacy by the heads of state is the biggest highlight of the country's diplomacy this year.

"The leaders help to set a basic tone for major issues in bilateral relations and lay a foundation for charting development through their meetings," he said.

Su added that China also plays an important role in pushing forward global governance through multilateral diplomacy, and helps solve hot spot issues through mediation efforts.

"China's diplomacy in 2018 has made remarkable achievements despite rising challenges," he said.