The just concluded China-US summit naturally became focus of
international attention in the past few days. Whether the summit
met expectations? People of different concerns might have different
conclusions. But one thing is certain, that is the positive impact
on bilateral ties or even international relations generated by the
direct dialogue between top leaders of the world's largest
developing and developed countries.
From the Chinese side, President Hu apparently reached his goal
in strengthening dialogue, expanding consensus, enhancing mutual
trust, deepening cooperation and comprehensively pushing forward
the constructive cooperative relationship. In less than four days,
he attended as many as 32 functions at which he made wide contacts
with congressmen, government officials, business leaders, students
and scholars. In his talks and speeches, President Hu presented
facts and good reasoning to convince the American public that China
is not a potential threat but a strategic partner who deserves
trust and cooperation.
There is no denying that some Americans want to take the
opportunity to put pressure on China, such as by asking China to
enhance IPR protection, to guarantee reduce of trade surplus and,
particularly, to promise sharp RMB revaluation; they also expect a
clear stance from China to support US sanction on Iran.
On these questions, President Hu made proper responses: China
has made, and will continue efforts on IPR protection; China will
work hard on expanding domestic demands and has taken measures to
increase import from the United States, and at the same time
calling for wider US hi-tech export to China and the lift of unfair
restrictions on Chinese investment in the US; China will also push
forward the reform with RMB exchange rate mechanism; regarding
international security and anti-proliferation, China is willing to
enhance coordination with the US and meanwhile stands for resolving
disputes through dialogue and diplomatic means. By showing its
stance on these questions, we should say, China both defended its
national interests according to established principles and gave
full consideration to US concerns, highlighting the Chinese
diplomacy as being flexible and pragmatic.
The author noticed a positive change in President Bush's
positioning of relations with China. In his address at the arrival
ceremony, the president said: "The United States welcomes the
emergence of a China that is peaceful and prosperous, and that
supports international institutions. As stakeholders in the
international system, our two nations share many strategic
interests." This is the first time that the president used the
concept "stakeholder" after it was raised by Deputy Secretary of
State Robert B. Zoellick, and also the first time that he stated
explicitly "our two nations share many strategic interests."
Then, what are the shared strategic interests between the two
countries? President Bush mentioned three points. First, "Our two
nations share an interest in expanding free and fair trade, which
has increased the prosperity of both the American people and the
Chinese people." Second, "Prosperity depends on security -- so the
United States and China share a strategic interest in enhancing
security for both our peoples." Third, "The natural world also
generates threats to international security -- and the United
States and China share a strategic interest in meeting these
challenges as well." Here he mentioned the prevention of natural
disasters, bird flu and the development of alternatives to fossil
fuels.
At the press conference that followed, President Bush said: the
US export to China increased nearly 21 percent last year, which
means more jobs (created for the US). Then he said: China is an
important voice in international affairs. In his address at the
welcoming lunch, he pointed out that China is helping form a modern
world. All these showed that Washington has begun to face squarely
the fact that China's development is beneficial to the US, and
recognized the important international role played by China.
Of course, the two sides didn't reach consensus on all issues.
But just as the leaders stressed, the two parties can discuss their
differences in a spirit of friendship and cooperation. This marks
increasing maturity in China-US relations. From western to eastern
coasts, President Hu had been warmly welcomed and closely followed.
This is therefore a successful visit viewed from both governmental
and non-governmental perspectives, as well as a successful summit
devoted to deeper mutual understanding and trust, wider consensus
and expanded constructive cooperative relationships.
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(People's Daily Online April 27, 2006)
