Premier Li Keqiang Replies to Media Question on U.S.-China Relations in Press Conference

March 11 , 2021 (EIRNS)—At a press conference marking the end of the “two sessions” meeting of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Premier Li Keqiang responded to a question from CNN on U.S.-China relations, demanding to know what changes in its policy China would make “to reset and improve its relations” with Washington. The full transcript is posted to the Foreign Ministry website. Li responded:

“As the world’s largest developing and developed countries, China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. In the past forty-plus years of diplomatic ties, China-US relations have gone through some twists and turns, but kept moving forward by overcoming obstacles. This is in keeping with the trend of world development and the fundamental interests of both countries. We hope that the two countries will act in the spirit of the phone conversation between President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden, respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs and work for sustained and healthy development of China-US relations in line with the principle of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation. That is in the interest of people of both countries. It is also what the international community hopes to see.”

Given their vast differences in culture, history and social systems, he went on “The Chinese and American peoples have the wisdom and capability” to manage their differences.

“The two sides need to have dialogue and exchanges based on mutual respect and equality. We hope to see dialogue between the two countries in various areas and on multiple levels. It will help us better manage and mitigate our differences....

“As permanent members of the UN Security Council, the two countries shoulder important responsibility for maintaining world peace and stability and promoting global prosperity and progress,”

the Premier told CNN.