China-US relationship a shared success story: ambassador

The Chinese Ambassador to the United States says the China-U.S. relationship has been a shared success story over the past four decades, while cooperation is the only right option for future development of bilateral ties.

The two sides recently marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai addressed the annual New Year Gala of the China General Chamber of Commerce - USA.

"China remains committed to expanding cooperation with the United States on the basis of mutual benefit, managing our differences on the basis of mutual respect, and developing a relationship with the United States based on closer coordination, cooperation and greater stability."

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai delivers a keynote speech during the CGCC annual New Year Gala in New York on Jan. 7, 2019. [China Plus/Qian Shanming]

He told the 450 guests that China-U.S. relations have been a shared success story over the past four decades, benefitting both countries and the world. Looking into the future, Cui said that cooperation is the only right option for China and the U.S.

"Profound changes have taken place in both countries and in the world. The world and our two countries are not the same as forty years ago. Our relations have to evolve with the time. But all this only underscores the need for closer China-US cooperation and the consequences if we fail to do so in this fast-changing world."

Cui says the business communities of both countries serve important roles in facilitating the economic and trade relationship as well as people-to-people ties between the two countries, and he encouraged them to continue such commitment. Cui also urged business communities from both sides to keep the big picture in mind, to remain open, and also to have a clear stand on what is right and what is wrong.

He urged business leaders to have the moral courage to say no to those advocating disruption of international supply chains, fragmentation of global markets, decoupling of the two economies, zero-sum confrontation, and even a new cold war.

Cui's remarks were echoed by business leaders from both sides, who stressed the importance of a stable China-US relationship.

Chairman and CEO Maurice Greenberg of insurance giant Starr Companies, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary in Shanghai, was awarded the "Goodwill Ambassador for China-US Exchange" at the Gala dinner. Greenberg said that he is confident in the future development of bilateral ties.

Maurice Greenberg, chairman and CEO of insurance giant Starr Companies, speaks after receiving the Goodwill Ambassador for China-U.S. Exchange at the CGCC annual New Year Gala in New York on Jan. 7, 2019. [China Plus/Qian Shanming]

"Thank you very much for the award. I'm glad to be here, and proud to be here. I'm very proud of our company in China. But more important than our company, is the relationship between the United States and China. Yes, there's been several ups and downs, but I'm confident that the downs will disappear, and the ups will survive. We need each other as two countries. It's a safe world when we are allies, it's somewhat different if we are not."

As one of the first Americans to visit China in the 1970s for investment and business operations, Greenberg was recently awarded the China Reform Friendship Medal for his dedication to promote U.S.-China business ties in the past four decades.

In a signed congratulatory letter for the CGCC Gala, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, whose administration formally established diplomatic ties with China in 1979, also stressed the importance of further cooperation between the U.S. and China.

Carter said in his letter that at a time when the relationship is encountering "unique and unprecedented challenges," programs like the CGCC Gala "are crucial to restoring it while bolstering economic, educational and cultural ties."