China, U.S. agree on principle of no conflict, mutual respect

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Beijing on Sunday, March 19, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

China and the United States reached consensus on developing ties in the spirit of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation during U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's Beijing trip, said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wednesday.

"This spirit is the correct way for the two major powers to get along with each other," spokesperson Hua Chunying told a routine press briefing.

She was responding to a question regarding Tillerson's reaffirmation of the principle. Tillerson's move has received criticism from some U.S. scholars and former government officials.

Some media said that having Tillerson reiterate this principle was a diplomatic triumph for China.

"This can not be taken as someone's triumph," Hua said. "The principle of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation has been a good experience for the stable growth of China-U.S. ties in recent years, and is worth continuing."

"China is willing to enhance communication and understanding with the United States, cement trust, properly handle disputes, expand cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral levels and boost new progress of bilateral ties at a new starting point."

Last weekend, Tillerson paid his first visit to China since taking office last month. He is the first cabinet-level official in the new administration of the United States to visit China.