Senior Chinese diplomat urges U.S. to adopt rational, pragmatic China policies

Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, meets with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry via video link upon invitation, Sept. 2, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), on Thursday met with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry via video link upon invitation, urging the United States to adopt rational and pragmatic China policies to work with China in bringing ties back on track as soon as possible.

Yang, also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, said for some time China-U.S. relations have faced severe difficulties due to a series of erroneous acts by the United States to interfere in China's internal affairs and undermine China's interests. "China is strongly opposed to and even more resolute in countering such practices."

As confrontation between China and the United States serves no one's interests, Yang said the two countries should have mutual respect, coexist peacefully, handle differences properly, and work for win-win results.

"This will serve the fundamental interests of people on both sides and people of all countries in the world," Yang said.

He expressed the hope that the United States can take into consideration the common interests of the two sides and the long-term interests of itself, take concrete steps to rectify wrongdoings, view China and bilateral relations in an objective and rational manner, and respect China's political system and development path.

China is open to dialogue and pragmatic cooperation with the United States, Yang said, noting that the two countries can enhance coordination and cooperation on a broad range of issues including climate change, COVID-19 control and economic recovery.

"At the same time, such cooperation must be two-way and mutually beneficial," he added.

Noting that China has taken a series of major strategic decisions and strong measures to respond to climate change, a demonstration of its active and determined attitude, Yang said China respects other countries' rights to development and choice, and the rights to development and choice of China must be respected as well.

China is ready to enhance policy communication and pragmatic cooperation on climate change with the United States to facilitate the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, said Yang.

Noting U.S.-China relations are very important to the two countries and the whole world, Kerry said the United States is willing to step up dialogue with China and jointly cope with climate change based on mutual respect, so as to inject impetus into the improvement of bilateral ties.