Full text of Wang Yi's speech at the American Asia Society!

President Kevin Rudd,

Ladies and gentlemen,

After three years, I have come to New York again to attend the United Nations General Assembly. It is my pleasure to meet all my friends again.

In recent years, many great events have occurred in the world. The COVID-19 continues to rage, the global economy is in danger of recession, and the escalation of the crisis in Ukraine is delayed. Issues such as food, energy, supply chain, and climate change are becoming increasingly prominent.

In recent years, China US relations have been hovering at a low point after the establishment of diplomatic relations. The reality of interdependence between the two countries is ignored, the history of win-win cooperation is distorted, the channels for dialogue and communication are blocked, and the so-called "strategic competition" is defining and influencing China US relations in a dangerous way, bringing huge changes to the future of the two peoples and countries around the world.

It is obvious that the significance of China US relations has long exceeded that of bilateral relations and has global implications. The international community generally expects China and the United States to play a leading role, assume major country responsibilities, stabilize bilateral relations, and promote global cooperation.

President Biden stated that the US China relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, and how it develops will shape21The world pattern of the century.

The two capitals of the Yuan Dynasty believe that China US relations can only be improved and cannot be damaged. They both believe that China US should not conflict and confrontation, and both advocate for strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. President Biden has repeatedly emphasized that the United States does not seek to fight a "new cold war", does not seek to change China's system, does not seek to oppose China through strengthening alliance relations, does not support "Taiwan independence", and has no intention of engaging in conflicts with China. The world expects the US to truly implement these important statements into action.

To collaborate with two excellent orchestras, it is first necessary for the conductor to establish a common tone, while also requiring all performers to produce harmonious notes according to the same set of music scores. But what you can see is that the US team seems to have taken two sets of music scores and did not translate the political will of leaders to stabilize bilateral relations into logical policies. The Chinese people and people of all countries are confused and will naturally raise the following questions:

The US fabricated an unnecessary narrative of "democratic confrontation with authoritarianism", deliberately amplifying the ideological opposition between China and the United States, pointing the finger at China's political system, development path, and ruling party. In this situation, how to fulfill the promise not to seek changes to the Chinese system?

The US defines China as the "most important opponent" and the "most severe long-term challenge", implementing comprehensive containment, attempting to encircle China by "shaping the surrounding strategic environment", and also coercing countries to choose sides and form various "small circles" to exclude China. How to avoid a new Cold War in this situation?

Despite strong opposition from China, the US insists on25Allow the Speaker of the House to visit Taiwan again after the year. Repeated official exchanges, constantly improving substantive relations, selling Taiwanese weapons, and even many offensive weapons. Recently, we have been promoting the review of the so-called "Taiwan Policy Bill", attempting to fundamentally shake the foundation of Sino US relations formed by the three joint communiques between China and the United States. How to fulfill the important statement of not supporting "Taiwan independence" in this situation?

The US continues to engage in a trade war with China, and even though it is found to be in violation by the WTO, it still insists on engaging in a trade war with China3600China has imposed high tariffs on billions of US dollars worth of goods imported from the United States, while the unilateral sanctions against Chinese enterprises have become longer and longer, reaching1000Multiple entities and individuals. In this situation, how can we maintain the stability of the supply chain between China, the United States, and the global industry chain?

The US is constantly provoking on issues related to China's core interests and development rights, while also proposing to maintain stable relations and avoid conflicts and confrontations, which is contradictory in both logic and reality.

Where is the crux? Fundamentally speaking, it is still the United States that has deviated from its understanding of China, the world, and itself. Whether it is provoking "comprehensive confrontation" or advocating "strategic competition", it has deviated from the correct track of China US relations.

This deviation is dangerous and the cost will be high. Mr. Rudd likened the current Sino US relationship to a wet workshop with exposed cables, and Mr. Joseph Nye described it as a "sleepwalking syndrome" that may lead to the new cold war. If the United States deals with Sino US relations along the zero sum game thinking and continues to mislead its policy towards China with "political correctness", it will not only fail to solve its own problems, but also lead Sino US relations to the end of conflict and confrontation. We should shout loudly, It's time to reflect seriously and get back on track!

Ladies and gentlemen,

This year is President Nixon's visit to China50Anniversary, also known as the "August 17th Communique"40Anniversary. History is important, with history comes the present, and cherishing history leads to the future.

I specifically visited Dr. Kissinger a few days ago and reviewed together again50The tortuous story of the consensus reached between China and the United States years ago and the wisdom contained therein. From the first day of contact, China and the United States knew that they were dealing with a very different country. But the existence of these differences has not hindered the two countries from breaking the ice and establishing diplomatic relations, nor has it hindered the deepening of cooperation based on common interests, nor has it hindered both sides from making common contributions to world peace and prosperity.

Looking Forward to the Future50In, the healthy and stable development of China US relations still depends on whether we can correctly handle these differences and pursue our own and common interests based on them.

These three principles are important conclusions drawn from examining the ups and downs of China US relations for over half a century, and are also the correct way for major powers to interact with each other in today's era.

I will first talk about mutual respect.

Without respect, there can be no trust. Without trust, conflicts cannot be avoided, and true cooperation cannot be achieved. This is an important experience accumulated in China US exchanges and a fundamental prerequisite for bilateral relations to return to normal.

50A year ago, the Shanghai Communique was issued, in which both sides agreed to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, refrain from infringing on other countries, and refrain from interfering in their internal affairs, regardless of their social systems.50Today, years later, this guiding principle has more practical significance. We can clearly realize that China will not become another United States, and the United States cannot change China according to its own likes and dislikes. Neither side can defeat the other, which requires respect for each other's choices.

Defining one's own choices as democracy, defining the other party's choices as authoritarianism, and defining success as changing the other party are neither factual nor realistic.

We respect the development path chosen by the American people and welcome the openness, confidence, and progress of the United States. The United States should also respect the development path chosen by the Chinese people, which is socialism with Chinese characteristics.

This path was taken by the Chinese people themselves and also has a clear historical logic. Since modern times, the Chinese people have been struggling to explore the path of national salvation and revitalization. Various plans, including those of the Western system, have been introduced in turn, but they have all failed due to dissatisfaction with the local conditions. It was not until the CPC combined Marxism with China's specific reality and traditional Chinese culture that it united and led the Chinese people to achieve national independence and liberation, and finally found the right path to prosperity and strength.

This road opens up broad prospects for Chinese path to modernization. We have built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, eliminated absolute poverty in a historic way, and in just a few decades, we have grown from being poor and weak to the world's second largest economy9%Our arable land has fed the world20%The population has formed4A middle-income group of over one billion.14It will be a miracle in the history of human development for the billion Chinese people to move towards modernization and common prosperity.

This path has brought true human rights and democracy to the Chinese people. We have built the world's largest social security and compulsory education system, prioritizing comprehensive human development and providing everyone with the opportunity to excel in life. We combine electoral democracy with consultative democracy, procedural democracy, and substantive democracy to promote the entire process of people's democracy, which has received the heartfelt support of all Chinese people. Polls by authoritative American organizations also show that the support rate of the Chinese people for the government has been consistently high90%above.

At the same time, we are soberly aware that China's development still has a long way to go. Per capita in ChinaGDPJust passed1.2Ten thousand dollars, ranking first in the world60Multiple. The ranking of the Human Development Index is still ongoing70Multiple. Our primary task remains to concentrate our efforts, achieve more balanced and comprehensive development, and meet the growing needs of the people for a better life. We adhere to placing national and ethnic development on the basis of our own strength, and are also willing to engage in mutually beneficial cooperation with countries including the United States to create a favorable external environment for China's development.

The Chinese people have experienced5000The baptism of a long-standing civilization is both confident and self-sufficient, as well as humble and tolerant. We will steadfastly follow the path and direction of our own choice, and walk more steadily and better. We are also willing to continue to draw on all beneficial international experiences and achievements of human civilization, always embracing the world with open arms, and opening the door to openness wider and wider.

Some people are worried that China will export ideology and threaten the values of other countries, which is completely unnecessary. In history, China did not have the practice of preaching and preaching, and today we do not have the idea of exporting systems and paths.2500The Chinese sages years ago summarized the spirit of mutual tolerance in the universe and the laws of nature with "all things grow together without harming each other, and the Tao runs parallel without contradicting each other". Today, we should have a broader mindset than the ancients to view differences, accept them with mutual respect, and actively pursue the realm of harmony but difference.

Next, let me talk about peaceful coexistence.

Whether it is a partner or an opponent, cooperation or confrontation, these are fundamental issues in China US relations, and we cannot make disruptive mistakes. To maintain the bottom line of peace, it is necessary to make the right choices.

I would like to make it clear to everyone that China's choice is peace, and what we adhere to is peaceful development. The most basic expectation for China US relations is peaceful coexistence.

Some people see China as an imaginary enemy as it develops day by day, forming the so-called "threat inflation", which is a typical excessive anxiety and completely unnecessary.

Chinese people do not have the genes for expansion, coercion, and dominance. On the contrary, the Chinese believe in the maxims of "belligerence leads to death" and "national hegemony leads to decline".

600Years ago, Chinese Ming Dynasty navigator Zheng He led the world's most powerful fleet at that time7The intercontinental voyage took place before Columbus discovered the New World. But the Chinese did not engage in any colonization, killing, or robbery, but instead sent tea, silk, and porcelain to various countries.

I once visited the History Museum in Istanbul, a place where eastern and western civilizations meet. The left hall displays cultural relics of Türkiye's exchanges with China, mainly silk, porcelain, etc; The exhibition hall on the right is the cultural relics of Türkiye's exchanges with the West, which is full of swords, guns and armor. This is a completely different historical narrative. Equating the ability to develop with the intention to expand, and predicting China based on the old path of traditional powers, will result in serious misjudgment.

Today's China is the inheritance and development of historical China. Establishment of New China70For many years, we have never initiated a conflict, occupied an inch of another country's land, launched a proxy war, or participated in any military group. We are the world's largest country with the best peace record. We will adhere to the inclusion of peaceful development in the Party Constitution of the ruling party, and are also the only major country in the world to incorporate peaceful development into its constitution. China's insistence on not seeking hegemony, expansion, coercion, or sphere of influence and peaceful coexistence with other countries is undoubtedly a significant contribution to global strategic stability.

To achieve peaceful coexistence between China and the United States, we must follow the rules recognized by both sides. At the bilateral level, it should be the three joint communiqu é s between China and the United States, as well as the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, rather than imposing domestic laws on each other. At the international level, it should be the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. This rule and order were established at a great cost by the World Anti Fascist Alliance, and were also established using3500In exchange for the significant sacrifice of over ten thousand Chinese casualties. As a founding member of the United Nations and the first country to sign the Charter, China has no reason, let alone the need to start a new approach or set up a new system. China and the United States have a responsibility to jointly maintain this order and set of rules. The US often mentions the "rule-based international order", and if it refers to the above rules, China has no objection. But if it refers to something else that lacks international consensus, then the US has no right to impose it on others.

The biggest obstacle to achieving peaceful coexistence between China and the United States is the Cold War mentality. Just like colonial ideas20The century has gradually been abandoned, and Cold War thinking has emerged21The century is already outdated. Some people in the United States hope to imitate the containment of the Soviet Union in the past to suppress China and use geopolitical games such as the "Indo Pacific Strategy" to encircle China, which is bound to be in vain. Because China is not the former Soviet Union, and the world is not the same as before. Only by waking up early from the old dream of the Cold War can we approach and handle China US relations with a calm, rational, and realistic attitude.

The third is win-win cooperation.

No cooperation can be built on the basis of you losing and I winning. Win-win cooperation is not only possible, but also necessary. This is the true narrative of China US relations over the past half century, and it is also a common goal that both sides should continue to strive for.

The close social connections and deep integration of interests between China and the United States are second to none among major powers. Before the epidemic, there were weekly300Multiple flights between China and the United States, with annual500More than ten thousand people crossed both sides of the ocean. The two countries once established100Multiple dialogue and exchange mechanisms, as well as50For friendly provinces and states234Relations with friendly cities. Even in the midst of the pandemic and the US imposing tariffs on China,2021The trade volume between the two countries remained high in7500100 million US dollars, year-on-year growth28.7%The two-way investment has reached2400USD100mn66%American companies in China plan to increase their investment in China. I also had a discussion with representatives from the US business community this time. Everyone believes that China US cooperation has brought benefits to both countries and the people of the world, and they all look forward to achieving greater development in the Chinese market. These objective facts and data fully demonstrate that the will of the Chinese and American people is cooperation, and the driving force of Sino US cooperation is win-win.

Recently, American individuals have said that 'win-win cooperation is just a political slogan'. We cannot agree with this. As the largest developing country and the largest developed country, China and the United States have a high degree of complementarity. There is extensive cooperation space in various fields such as economy and trade, energy, technology, education, and humanities, and they bear significant responsibilities in global issues such as combating the epidemic, restoring the economy, responding to climate change, counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, and resolving regional hotspots. Both sides have also worked together to combat terrorism, respond to the financial crisis, block the Ebola virus, and lead the Paris Agreement on climate change. Cooperation has become a major and beneficial event for the world. Harmony benefits both, while conflict harms both. This is an irrefutable truth in the dealings between China and the United States. Cooperation has always been the best choice for China and the United States.

China does not deny the existence of competition between China and the United States in areas such as economy and trade, nor is it afraid of competition. However, we do not agree with simply defining China US relations based on competition, as this is by no means the entire and mainstream of China US relations. At the same time, competition also needs to have boundaries, and fairness should be emphasized. We should abide by recognized rules, rather than just trying to weaken the development capacity of other countries and deprive them of their legitimate rights and interests. We need to engage in benign rather than vicious competition, and we need to chase each other rather than live and die.

Everyone is familiar with Huawei's example, regarding a company100%The private enterprises in the United States have used government power to suppress and even threaten countries not to use Huawei equipment globally, otherwise they will bear the consequences. This is clearly not fair competition. The US side, based on ideology, has generalized national security, built a "small courtyard and high wall", advocated for "decoupling and chain breaking", promoted "friendly shore outsourcing", established an "Indo Pacific economic framework", and established a "chip alliance". This is clearly not a healthy competition. Not only will it not benefit the United States' own development, but it will also disrupt global economic cooperation.

China has developed in the process of reform and opening up and integration with the world, and we will not and cannot decouple from the world. China is committed to high-quality development, building a new development pattern, and needs to establish closer ties with the world. We are providing broad cooperation opportunities for global partners with a shorter negative list and a better business environment, and we also welcome American companies to achieve greater development in the Chinese market.

Under the premise of equality and respect, China is willing to engage in more and better cooperation with the United States. Secretary Antony Blinken proposed six major areas of cooperation between the United States and China in his speech on China policy. When I met Secretary Antony Blinken in Bali, I proposed that China and the United States8List of cooperation in various fields. Both parties can also work together to extend the cooperation list and make the cooperation cake bigger. The "the Belt and Road" initiative, the global development initiative, the global security initiative and other public goods proposed by China have always been open to all parties, including the United States. China is also willing to dock with the initiatives proposed by the United States to achieve a win-win situation between China and the United States and the world.

Since it is a win-win cooperation, it naturally cannot do without necessary conditions and atmosphere. The US cannot harm China's core interests on the one hand, but also demand unconditional cooperation from China on the other hand. This logic cannot be established. I also want to emphasize that regardless of the relationship between China and the United States, China, as a responsible major country, will continue to actively participate in addressing various global challenges, fulfill China's responsibilities, and make China's contributions. I hope the US side will adopt the same attitude.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Taiwan issue is the core of China's core interests, the One China principle is the foundation of the political foundation of Sino US relations, and the three joint communiqu é s are the most important "barrier" of Sino US relations. Currently, the Taiwan issue is increasingly becoming the biggest risk in Sino US relations. If not handled properly, it is likely to have a disruptive impact on the relationship between the two countries.

The first prerequisite for discussing the Taiwan issue is that Taiwan is a part of China's territory and has never been a country. The effective administrative jurisdiction of the Chinese government over Taiwan can be traced back thousands of years.1895In, Japan forced the Qing government to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands through the war of aggression. This is a shame that the Chinese nation has suffered, and the struggle of the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait against aggression and division has never stopped.

1943The Cairo Declaration issued by the governments of China, the United States, and the UK in clearly stipulated that China's territory, including Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, stolen by Japan, should be returned to China.1945The Potsdam Declaration jointly signed by China, the United States and Britain in reaffirmed that "the conditions of the Cairo Declaration will be implemented". Same year9In September, Japan signed the Japan Surrender Clause, promising to "faithfully fulfill the obligations stipulated in the Potsdam Declaration". Through the aforementioned series of documents with international legal effect, China has fully recovered Taiwan in law and in fact.

It is evident that one China formed an integral part of the post World War II international order, and the One China principle has become a recognized fundamental norm in international relations.1971Nian Lian Da Di2758The resolution not only completely resolved the issue of China's representation in the United Nations, including Taiwan, but also completely blocked any space for creating "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" internationally.50Over the years, the United Nations has always referred to Taiwan, China as "Taiwan Province of China", which is the only status of Taiwan in international law.181The political premise for a country to establish diplomatic relations with China is also to identify with and adhere to one China.

The US has also made a clear commitment to Taiwan being a part of China. from1972The "Sino US Shanghai Communique" of1978The "Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and the United States" in1982The August 17 Communiqu é in was written in black and white. It is clear that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is a part of China, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legal government of China. All previous US governments have explicitly pursued the One China policy, and multiple presidents have made statements opposing Taiwan's "independence", all of which are recorded.

However, it should be pointed out that shortly after the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, the US side backtracked and introduced the so-called "Taiwan Relations Law", followed by an internal "Six Guarantees to Taiwan", constantly falsifying the "One China Principle". These two things were completely fabricated by the United States unilaterally, running counter to the three joint communiques between China and the United States, and therefore were illegal and invalid from the beginning. The Chinese government has always explicitly opposed them.

Just as the United States will not allow Hawaii to be divided, since Taiwan is a part of China, China has the right to maintain national unity; Since the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing all of China, the Taiwan authorities should not be allowed to join any international organization with sovereignty implications; Since we recognize the One China principle, we should not engage in official exchanges with Taiwan. This is the most obvious truth.

The US has recently repeatedly mentioned the "current situation in the Taiwan Strait" and even accused China of "changing the status quo". This is exactly the opposite of the fact.

Among the major powers in the world, China is the only country that has not achieved complete reunification. Unity is the common aspiration and expectation of all Chinese people, and it is also a clear provision of the Chinese Constitution. The basic principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" is most in line with the overall interests of the Chinese nation, including our compatriots in Taiwan. It is the most realistic and inclusive solution to the differences in systems between the mainland and Taiwan. It is a peaceful solution, a democratic solution, a goodwill solution, and a win-win solution. Although the systems across the Taiwan Strait are different, this is by no means an obstacle to reunification, let alone an excuse for division. We always pursue peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and effort, but we will never tolerate any activities aimed at splitting the country. We reserve the option to take all necessary measures in response to actions that violate the Anti Secession Law, and not against our compatriots in Taiwan.

The Taiwan issue arose from the weak turmoil of the Chinese nation and will inevitably be resolved with the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This is a historical trend and also the aspiration of the people. The US should stand on the right side of history.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In less than a month, the CPC will convene the 20th National Congress to scientifically plan China's development blueprint for the next five years and even longer. Since its birth, the CPC has not only worked for the happiness of the Chinese people, the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, but also for human progress and the world. We will continue to uphold this original aspiration and mission, uphold the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom for all mankind, and work together with people of all countries to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ladies and gentlemen,

50One of the most important events in international relations was the restoration and development of Sino US relations, which benefited both countries and the world. next50The most important thing in international relations is that China and the United States must find the right way to get along. We hope that both China and the United States can seek practical inspiration from historical experience, gather the strength to move forward, jointly explore and build a new era of Sino US relations, and jointly create a better future for both countries!

Thank you all!