Wang Yi urges U.S.-China cooperation on mutual understanding as he holds a meeting with Harvard professor Graham Allison.
Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on Wednesday called on the United States to work jointly with China to address the underlying issue in their bilateral tensions; how the two nations perceive each other. He emphasized that resolving these misperceptions is key to building a stable and constructive relationship between the two global powers.
Wang, who serves as the director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made these remarks during a meeting in Beijing with Harvard professor Graham Allison.
He stressed the importance of setting a proper foundation, or “fastening the first button right”, to ensure a smooth and enduring relationship between China and the U.S.
Wang acknowledged Allison’s longstanding efforts to promote mutual understanding between the two countries and his dedication to exploring peaceful coexistence between major powers.
Highlighting cultural differences, Wang explained that the Chinese concept of “harmony without uniformity” reflects an Eastern worldview that values diversity and seeks common ground. He contrasted this with the Western zero-sum mentality, which often sees one side’s gain as the other’s loss.
This traditional Chinese philosophy, he noted, supports the idea of shared interests and peaceful international relations, including between China and the U.S. Wang added that a new narrative is needed to guide future China-U.S. interactions, one that promotes mutual understanding and practical cooperation.
He reiterated President Xi Jinping’s three core principles for handling relations with the U.S.: mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.
Wang encouraged American academics, policymakers, and thought leaders to promote a more balanced and constructive perception of China, which he said would contribute to a healthier bilateral relationship.
Professor Allison responded by noting that the Chinese idea of “harmony without uniformity” parallels American values of diversity. He stressed that the U.S. and China, being interdependent global powers, must find ways to peacefully coexist to avoid falling into the so-called Thucydides Trap, a historical pattern where rising powers clash with established ones.
Allison advocated for a new, principle-based framework for managing U.S.-China relations, centered on mutual respect, and pledged to support efforts that encourage dialogue and the steady growth of bilateral ties.
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