Communication, respect, cooperation highly valued in U.S.-China ties

by Xinhua writers Liu Yanan, Yang Shilong

NEW YORK -- Many American heavyweights highly valued communication, mutual respect and cooperation in U.S.-China ties, which were embodied in Chinese President Xi Jinping's congratulatory message to the 2024 Gala Dinner of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR).

In Tuesday's message, Xi said China and the United States should serve as a booster of each other's development rather than a hindrance, and China is willing to work with the United States as partners and friends.

On the same day, U.S. President Joe Biden also sent a congratulatory message to the NCUSCR's annual gala.

COMMUNICATION MATTERS MUCH

NCUSCR President Stephen Orlins appreciated the continuous support from both the U.S. and Chinese governments. "I was thrilled to be able to receive both letters," Orlins told Xinhua on the sidelines of the gala.

"Regardless of the difficulties that we have in the relationship between the United States and China, now we have to buckle down and work towards better communication," said James B. Heimowitz, former honorary chair of the China Institute, a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to deepening the world's understanding of China through programs in art, business, culinary, culture, and education.

Heimowitz told Xinhua that at the end of the day, there's nothing more important than a robust and deep U.S.-China relationship.

"That doesn't mean we have to agree on everything, but it does mean that we have to learn how to communicate and work together on the areas that we can," said Heimowitz, who spent over 10 years in China and headed the China Institute for nearly a decade.

Referring to the letters from both presidents, Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, said a lot of American businessmen may have questions about working in China or with the companies investing in China, this kind of communication will make it easier for them to make a decision or find the answer.

President Xi's devotion to communications at people-to-people levels between the two countries is very important to the whole world, according to Greene, who is paying a visit to China.

This is just solid and good practice while there's a lot of craziness in the world, said Greene, who has been promoting bilateral friendship for decades and carrying on the legacy of The Flying Tigers, a group of Americans who fought with Chinese against Japanese invaders in the 1940s.

CALLS FOR BETTER TIES

Bilateral ties are really important, said Robert H. McCooey, Jr., vice chairman of Nasdaq.

"I've been there (in China) over a hundred times myself. We've had many people who are going back and forth and are trying to make sure that our two countries continue down the path of cooperation that began in San Francisco. And we're excited about continuing that," he added.

McCooey told Xinhua, "We have to just work hard and make sure that we respect each other and foster that cooperation between the two countries," as there are great economic benefits for both countries.

Mutual respect and cooperation between the United States and China are really important to the global economy and both economies, said McCooey. "The global economy is counting on us."

Both President Biden and President Xi were talking about the need for cooperation because the world depends on the partnership between the United States and China, said Gary Locke, former U.S. ambassador to China.

China cannot solve the world's problems by itself, and the United States can't do it by itself either. The world is counting on cooperation and partnerships, said Locke.

"These cannot be done by one country alone, better that the two countries do it together," he said.

William Ford, chairman and CEO of General Atlantic, said he felt very in line with President Xi's message.

Ford said he really hopes for bilateral ties to bounce back.

"It's in everybody's interest for us to have a more constructive relationship. It's the only way forward in my view. So, I'm hopeful for that," said Ford, who was honored at the gala thanks to his enormous contributions to constructive U.S.-China relations.

The attendees also agreed on the vital role of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, which has been advanced and encouraged by President Xi for a long time.

The NCUSCR stands for people-to-people ties, and President Xi is absolutely right in saying people-to-people exchange serves as the foundation for bilateral relations, said Orlins.

"We need to find ways today to increase people-to-people exchanges," he said. 

Xinhua reporter Ding Ye also contributed to this story.