On January 5, 2024, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forward three proposals on implementing the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state when attending the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations.

First, uphold mutual respect, with having a right perception of each other as the current priority. Are China and the United States partners or adversaries? This is an overarching question determining where this relationship will be heading. The Chinese people believe that “all ways of life should thrive without hindering each other; all living things should flourish without harming each other.” China’s development and rejuvenation is driven by its robust internal dynamics and is a historical inevitability. To advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through the Chinese path to modernization means that China will take on more responsibility and make greater contribution to world peace and development. We have no intention to displace or lord over anyone, still less to seek hegemony. What we are committed to is building a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship on the basis of mutual respect. We hope that the U.S. side will go easy on itself, and in the spirit of equality and inclusiveness, respect the choice of the Chinese people, respect the development path of China, respect China’s core interests, and respect China’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Second, ensure peaceful coexistence, with with effective management of disagreements as the top priority. China and the United States differ in social system and development path due to their different histories and cultural traditions. Disagreements should not lead to confrontation, still less willful sanctions, power politics, hegemonism or zero-sum game. What is needed is a vision and unwavering commitment to seeking common ground while shelving differences, and allowing no disagreements or differences to dominate or disrupt the bilateral relationship. 45 years ago, China and the United States were able to rise above disagreements and establish diplomatic relations. Today, we must assume such vision and sense of responsibility. President Xi Jinping once pointed out that disagreements should not be a chasm to keep the two countries apart, and that instead, the two sides should look for ways to build bridges to help them walk toward each other. That is the right approach for China and the United States to handle disagreements.

Third, pursue win-win cooperation, with mutually beneficial collaboration as the ballast. Over the past few years, thanks to the joint efforts from both sides, military-to-military communications and dialogue have recently resumed on the basis of equality and respect, and the working group on counternarcotics cooperation will soon be launched after the removal of the obstacle of unilateral sanctions. Going forward, the two sides must continue to make the most of the mechanisms resumed or established in diplomatic, economic, financial, commercial and agricultural areas. They should build bridges of communication as soon as possible, and pave the way for cooperation. They should remove barriers to exchanges, break false information cocoons, forge closer links between the two peoples, and generate more positive energy for the sound growth of China-U.S. relations.