Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the pivotal role of the people in shaping the future of China-US relations during a gathering with representatives from diverse communities in the US on Wednesday evening. At a welcoming dinner hosted by friendly organizations such as the US-China Business Council and the National Committee on US-China Relations, attended by top US executives including Elon Musk of Tesla and Tim Cook of Apple, President Xi expressed China’s willingness to be a “partner and a friend” to the US.
President Xi highlighted the people-to-people foundation of China-US relations, emphasizing that the stories and the future of the relationship are crafted by the citizens of both nations. He called for the building of more bridges and fostering increased interactions among people, discouraging the creation of barriers that might hinder understanding.
Observers believe that the face-to-face talks between President Xi and US executives will help dispel misunderstandings about China’s policies that have been “smeared and misinterpreted” by some foreign media. The meeting is seen as an opportunity to rebuild trust, fostering cooperation beneficial to both economies.
The dinner, occurring shortly after President Xi’s summit meeting with US President Joe Biden, underscores the significance of trade cooperation and commitment to opening-up as key priorities for the Chinese leadership. In his speech, President Xi posed a fundamental question: whether the countries see each other as rivals or partners. He warned against perceiving each other as rivals, emphasizing China’s willingness to be a partner and friend to the US.
The speech received applause, indicating its success, as attendees praised the opportunity for direct interaction, offering a more accurate understanding of China as friendly and peaceful rather than hostile. Executives such as Ray Dalio and Elon Musk expressed optimism about fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between China and the US.
Despite the current economic challenges, with ongoing trade tensions and pressures on Chinese high-tech enterprises, President Xi conveyed hope for a better future, stressing the importance of major countries working together amid global changes and chaos.
