Recently, Xinhua News Agency released a series of commentaries closely aligned with President Xi Jinping’s latest statements during his meeting with U.S. President Biden in Lima, Peru. The commentaries offered an in-depth explanation of what Beijing considers the “appropriate approach to China-U.S. relations for the new era.” Below are some key points quoted from those commentaries.
Seven Key Insights Provide Fundamental Guidelines for China-U.S. Relations:
- Maintain a correct strategic understanding.
- Honor commitments and act accordingly.
- Treat each other as equals.
- Avoid challenging red lines and bottom lines.
- Engage in more dialogue and cooperation.
- Respond to public expectations.
- Demonstrate the responsibility of great powers.
The first four insights serve as essential conditions for the healthy development of China-U.S. relations, clearly outlining a “negative list” of behaviors to avoid. The last three insights provide guidance for fostering mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, accumulating positive factors, and advancing toward the goal of win-win cooperation.
“Four Red Lines” Lay the Foundation for China-U.S. Relations:
- The Taiwan issue.
- Democracy and human rights.
- China’s chosen path and system.
- Development rights.
In the past, the development of China-U.S. relations has encountered setbacks, with the responsibility clearly lying on the U.S. side. As the U.S. transitions to a new administration, it is critical to maintain the hard-won momentum of stability in China-U.S. relations and lay a solid foundation for their future development. These four red lines are inviolable warning thresholds.
These “Four Unchanged Principles” Highlight China’s Commitment to Its Diplomatic Approach Toward the U.S.
- China’s commitment to the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations remains unchanged.
- The principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation in handling China-U.S. relations remain unchanged.
- The firm stance of safeguarding China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests remains unchanged.
- The aspiration to continue the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American peoples remains unchanged.
The declaration of the “Four Unchanged Principles” reflects China’s consistent policy stance toward the U.S., demonstrating its willingness to continue dialogue, expand cooperation, and manage differences with the U.S. China aims to ensure a smooth transition in China-U.S. relations, benefit the peoples of both countries, and inject greater stability and certainty into the fragile equilibrium of their relationship.
Sources:
1. Xinhua, December 24, 2024
http://www.news.cn/world/20241224/be3b56ba0a964b12a4ddbc22c10553da/c.html
2. Xinhua, December 9, 2024
http://www.news.cn/world/20241209/6ad185b8ef474ad49f6a8f8ba8f1b5b5/c.html
3. Xinhua, December 16, 2024
http://www.news.cn/world/20241216/6a7dad0834e240deb29c38f6f53d685d/c.html
4. Xinhua, December 23, 2024
http://www.news.cn/world/20241223/b53587aba1f946c4a394a33951a4e9eb/c.html