US-China relations should set the tone for Asia-Pacific: Xinhua

Want China Times, Xinhua 2014-11-11

President Barack Obama arrives in Beijing, Nov. 10. (Photo/CNS)

US President Barack Obama arrived in Beijing Monday morning for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.

Besides the meeting, he will pay a state visit to China, the first since his re-election in 2012.

China has welcomed his presence. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told media that China hopes for positive results from his visit and is willing to work with the US to build a new type of relationship between major countries.

The upcoming meeting between President Xi Jinping and Obama is expected to set a tone for bilateral relations not only for the near future but also the long run.

The world is closely watching, whether the largest developed and developing countries, also the world's first and second largest economies, can figure out a solution to stabilize their relations and manage their differences.

For the past few years, tensions have been building. For China, it has been largely due to the so-called rebalancing to Asia-Pacific strategy of the US.

US officials have claimed that rebalancing towards the Asia-Pacific is not intended to contain China, but its actions have made China suspicious nonetheless.

The two countries should keep in mind that their common interests far overweight differences, and the new model for China-US relations should be drawn from the experience of strong ties over the past 35 years.

China is hoping to enter a new era of relations with the US, and with its "new model of major-country relations" it features non-conflict and non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation. It acknowledges differences but focuses on constructive mindsets and pragmatism.

In his speech at the APEC CEO Summit later Monday, Obama stressed twice that the US welcomes the rise of "a prosperous, peaceful and stable China," and said that "if China and the United States can work together, the world benefits."

Both China and the US have a stake in nearly all important aspects of each other. As the global economy and geopolitical roles are undergoing change, the US can facilitate those changes by embracing China and other emerging powers.

In the Asia-Pacific, where China and the US are major players, they should set a strong example by managing their ties together, contributing to regional stability and prosperity.

Progress has been made in promoting connectivity. China's foreign ministry spokesperson on Monday confirmed new visa extension policies between China and the US, saying that the policies will facilitate people-to-people exchanges and benefit cooperation in all areas between the two countries.

The Pacific Ocean is vast, and can accommodate the interests of the United States, China and other economies. Benign collaboration in the region will bring more benefits than troubles.

US President Barack Obama (L) and China's President Xi Jinping arrive for a

 press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 12, 2014

(AFP Photo/Mandel Ngan)

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