Xi Jinping says China wants to ‘get along’ with US, amid rising tension over Taiwan
A letter from empowered Chinese leader Xi Jinping urges co-operation ‘in the new era’, amid rising tensions over Taiwan.
President Xi Jinping has claimed China is seeking ways to “get along” with America, even as tensions rise over Beijing’s growing military and diplomatic intimidation of Taiwan.
“Today’s world is neither peaceful, nor tranquil,” Xi said in a letter to the National Committee on US-China Relations, an NGO based in New York whose directors include Henry Kissinger, the former US secretary of state.
“As major powers, if the two sides strengthen communications and co-operation, it would help the world to increase stability and certainty, and it would help promote world peace and development,” Xi wrote.
He said China was “willing to make efforts with the US, respect each other, co-exist peacefully, co-operate for win-win and find the right ways for China and the US to get along in the new era, which benefits both countries as well as the world”.
He was writing days after the conclusion of the 20th national congress of the ruling party, seen by many as an entrenchment of the US-China rivalry that threatens to upset the global order.
Xi, who has secured a third five-year term as general secretary, said at the congress that Beijing “stands firmly against all forms of hegemonism and power politics” as well as “interference in other countries’ internal affairs”.
In a challenge to the US, Xi vowed to push global governance in a “fairer, more reasonable” direction. He said China would adhere to “true multilateralism” and promote the “democratisation” of international relations.
He said that China was “willing to make efforts with the US, respect each other, coexist peacefully, co-operate for win-win and find the right ways for China and the US to get along in the new era, which benefits both countries as well as the world”.
Xi further consolidated his powers by naming only loyalists to top party positions, said at the congress that Beijing “stands firmly against all forms of hegemonism and power politics” as well as “the Cold War mentality, interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and double standards”.
In a not-so-subtle challenge to the US, Xi vowed to push global governance towards a “fairer, more reasonable” direction. He said China would actively participate in the reform and construction of global governance, adhere to “true multilateralism” and promote the “democratisation” of international relations.
The China-US relationship began to unravel during the Trump administration over issues such as tariffs, technology transfer, the coronavirus and the self-governed island of Taiwan, and it has further worsened since President Biden took office last year.
Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, most recently warned that the Chinese government was trying to “speed up” its seizure of Taiwan, even though Xi has vowed to try his best to peacefully unify with the island.
Beijing considers the island part of Chinese territory and refuses to exclude the use of force in unifying with it. That would clash with Washington’s policy that the Taiwan issue be resolved peacefully, potentially pitting the two countries against each other.
In response to Blinken’s remarks, China’s Taiwan affairs office said Beijing would steadily push forward with its reunification plan.
During the congress, the party constitution was amended to include a line that the party should “resolutely oppose and contain Taiwan independence”.
In his report to the congress, Xi warned the US to stay away from the island.
“Taiwan is China’s Taiwan. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese, a matter that must be resolved by the Chinese,” Xi said.
The Times
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