In a recent push to strengthen bilateral relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged the United States to provide greater support and ease for people-to-people exchanges. Speaking during a meeting in Beijing with Evan Greenberg, chair of the National Committee on United States-China Relations (NCUSCR), and Stephen Orlins, president of the NCUSCR, Wang highlighted the critical role these exchanges play in fostering a stable and sound China-U.S. relationship.
Wang emphasized the importance of the NCUSCR continuing its constructive efforts to promote interactions between the peoples of both nations. He pointed out that such exchanges are foundational for the future of China-U.S. relations, aligning with the expectations of the international community and the historical trajectory of their interactions.
Echoing this sentiment, Chinese President Xi Jinping recently celebrated the history of China-U.S. exchanges at a welcome dinner in San Francisco. Xi stressed that the hope for the relationship lies in the youth and the exchanges at subnational levels. He announced China's readiness to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs over the next five years, a move that has been well-received and deemed popular by NCUSCR leaders Greenberg and Orlins.
During the meeting, Wang also addressed the current geopolitical landscape, noting that the U.S. views China as its main strategic competitor. He cautioned that such perceptions have led to misunderstandings, hindering the translation of U.S. leadership commitments into actionable steps. Wang stressed that diminishing these misperceptions is crucial not only for the two nations but also for global stability.
Greenberg and Orlins highlighted the significance of the U.S.-China relationship as one of the most important bilateral ties globally. They advocated for continued communication and engagement to steer the relationship in a constructive direction, benefiting the entire world. They reaffirmed the NCUSCR's commitment to playing an active role in facilitating meaningful exchanges between China and the United States.
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China urges U.S. to do more to facilitate people-to-people exchanges
cgtn.com
