Diplomatic Message: A Call for Tranquility in China-U.S. Relations

The Chinese ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, has called on the U.S. government to ease its "maximum pressure" strategy and foster better cooperation between the two nations.

Speaking at the "China in Springtime" global dialogue conference held in Chicago, Ambassador Xie offered a straightforward evaluation of the current state of China-U.S. relations. He expressed that aggressive tactics, such as tariffs and trade wars, have not yielded positive outcomes.

"China-U.S. relations are currently facing significant challenges and are at a pivotal moment," Xie stated via video link. His remarks happen to coincide with the first 50 days of the Trump administration, highlighting the growing tensions during that time.

The White House's recently released document, titled "50 Wins in 50 Days," makes multiple references to China, emphasizing ongoing actions by President Donald Trump. Just last Tuesday, the administration escalated trade tensions by doubling the existing 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports, citing concerns related to fentanyl. In response, China labeled this move as ineffective and counterproductive, leading to retaliatory measures.

Ambassador Xie indicated that stringent measures, including maximum pressure, trade wars, and investment restrictions, are not effective strategies. He warned that using Taiwan as a means to contain China would ultimately backfire. "These approaches do not lead to productive outcomes and instead foster further disputes," he explained.

In his address, Xie also highlighted the determination of the Chinese people in overcoming hardships. He noted that the resilience of the Chinese population has been a defining aspect of their history. "As a nation, we have faced numerous challenges, yet we remain confident and dedicated to our progress," he emphasized.

Moreover, he highlighted China's achievements in trade and economic growth, arguing that the notion of a "foreign capital outflow" from China is misleading. Rather, the ambassador pointed to the increasing confidence among foreign investors in China's dynamic market. He reported that China is now a significant trading partner for over 150 countries and regions, with a 9.9 percent rise in newly established foreign-invested companies last year.

Investment from countries such as Great Britain, South Korea, and the Netherlands saw substantial increases by 324 percent, 104 percent, and 76 percent respectively in January. "This reflects a positive outlook towards China’s market potential rather than a withdrawal of foreign capital," he asserted.

Ambassador Xie just recently participated in the two sessions in Beijing—the annual meetings of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference—which he describes as a window of opportunity for global engagement. He noted that significant government reports have prioritized stabilizing trade, attracting foreign investment, and advancing the orderly opening of various sectors, including telecommunications and healthcare.

The commitment to opening up further markets remains strong as Xie noted the importance of China continuing its path toward greater global cooperation amidst challenges in economic globalization. "While facing various global headwinds, China is committed to increasing its outreach and facilitating its open-market policies," he concluded.

According to a survey by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, around 90 percent of over 400 foreign firms operating in China rated the business environment positively. Additionally, nearly 20 percent of respondents indicated plans to increase their investments, demonstrating a growing trust in the Chinese market.

Diplomacy, Trade, Cooperation