Aim is to work together

Vice-president says differences natural given cultural, historical backgrounds 

WASHINGTON - Vice-President Xi Jinping urged the United States to respect the interests and concerns of China and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. 

"As the interests of China and the United States converge most closely in the Asia-Pacific than anywhere else, this region should naturally become an important area where China and the United States engage in positive interactions and pursue mutually beneficial cooperation," Xi told a lunch reception on Wednesday. 

The luncheon was hosted by the National Committee on US-China Relations and the US-China Business Council. Hundreds of business leaders, policymakers, heads of cultural and civic organizations, current and former US government officials as well as Chinese officials were in attendance. 

"China welcomes a constructive role with the United States in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific," Xi said. 

He said China and the United States should meet challenges together and share responsibilities in international affairs. 

China and the US should steadily enhance coordination and cooperation on international affairs and regional issues, he said. 

"Our world is undergoing complex and profound changes. China and the United States should meet challenges together and share responsibilities in international affairs," said Xi. "This is what the China-US cooperative partnership calls for and what the international community expects from us." 

He urged the US to work with China on the nuclear arms issue on the Korean Peninsula, Iran's nuclear capabilities and other issues through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms. He also called for increasing cooperation on issues such as climate change, counter-terrorism, cyber security, outer space security, energy and resources, public health, food security and disaster prevention and mitigation. 

Xi said China and the US must continue dialogue and exchanges on human rights. 

"It is only natural that we have some differences on the issue of human rights," Xi said, given the differences in national conditions and in the historical and cultural backgrounds of the two countries. 

Yet history shows that the cause of human rights has been a process of continuous improvement, he said. 

"China and the United States should continue dialogue and exchanges to implement the consensus reached between our two presidents on respecting each other's development paths chosen in light of their national conditions, and improve the cause of human rights in both countries," Xi said. 

Xi urged the United States to respect China's core interests and major concerns, especially on Taiwan and Tibet. 

China hopes that the United States adheres to the three Sino-US joint communiques, the "one-China" policy, opposes Taiwan independence and supports the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Straits, he said. 

He said China hopes the United States will truly honor its commitment of recognizing Tibet as part of China and opposing Tibet independence, and will handle Tibet-related issues in a prudent and proper manner. 

On behalf of US President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden, former state secretary Henry Kissinger made the welcome remarks at the luncheon. 

As the two largest economies in the world, China-US relations have never been more important, he said. 

He added the prosperity of the people in China and in the US will be affected by how effectively China and the US work together in the years ahead. 

"The US and China will succeed by working together, and delivering strong, sustainable and balanced growth," he said. 

Earlier on Wednesday, Xi went to Capitol Hill and met top US congressional leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as well as House Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. A number of other senators and representatives were also present. 

Fan Jishe, a researcher with the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Xi's remarks send out a signal that China is ready to resolve differences and promote cooperation with the US through dialogue for a common future in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Fan said since the US began boosting its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, factors of instability have risen to make differences more obvious to see, which obscures the possibility for cooperation. 

"Against such a backdrop, finding room for the future Sino-US relationship is significant for both countries. Xi has sent out a clear signal that China is ready to resolve differences with the US through dialogue and cooperation," Fan said. 

Cheng Guangjin in Beijing contributed to this story. 

From Chinadaily