In the recent years, the China-U.S. relationship has run into unprecedented difficulties. But to our encouragement, President Xi and President Biden held a historic summit meeting in San Francisco two months ago. It has not only helped to restore stability to the bilateral relationship, but also fostered a future-oriented San Francisco vision, charting the course for the sound, stable and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations in the new era. We need to embark on a new journey from San Francisco onward, start with concrete steps, and faithfully deliver on the important common understandings reached between our Presidents.

It is important to reject the Cold War mentality, and develop a right perception toward each other. Policymaking is based on how we perceive each other, which will then lead to actions with results. Are we adversaries, or partners? This is the fundamental and overarching question we need to answer. If one sees the other side as a primary competitor, a pacing threat and a target for containment, improving and stabilizing bilateral relations would be out of the question.

China’s domestic and foreign policies are open and transparent, with clearly stated strategic intentions and development goals. Our central task is to advance national rejuvenation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization, so as to deliver better jobs and better lives to the 1.4 billion people, and ensure every child receives good education.

Following the path of peaceful development is China’s solemn commitment. We aspire to build a community with a shared future for mankind with other countries. We will never seek hegemony with growing strength. Still less do we plan to challenge or unseat the United States. It is our sincere hope to be partners and friends with the United States. We are convinced that the Earth is big enough for China and the United States to develop respectively and prosper together, that our success is each other’s opportunity rather than challenge, that the two sides need to help each other succeed instead of undercutting one another, and that the world should not be thrust back into division and bloc confrontation. At the same time, China has interests that must be safeguarded, principles that must be upheld, and red lines that must not be crossed.

It is important to manage differences and disagreements, and keep to the right direction of China-U.S. relations. This relationship has always been based on recognizing differences and respecting each other’s core interests. Differences abound even between the United States and its allies, not to mention between China and the United States, two countries different in history, culture, social system and stage of development. But this does not mean that we are bound to collide head-on. Differences did not prevent us from establishing and developing relations 45 years ago. There is even less reason why they should block our exchanges and cooperation now.