On May 15, China’s People’s Daily published edited excerpts from an interview with Lawrence Freeman, prior to the May 14-15 summit, between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. Read: People’s Daily Interview with Freeman
Below is the English translation.
Strengthening dialogue and cooperation between the US and China will better enable them to jointly address global challenges (International Forum) Cooperation between the United States and China will inject strong momentum into global stability, development, and prosperity, making the world a better place.
On May 14, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, who was on a state visit to China. The meeting between the two heads of state is crucial for both countries and the world. As the world’s two largest economies, the decisions made by the US and China, and their future policy directions, will have a significant impact on the world. This meeting set the tone and direction for the development of US-China relations and is a key opportunity to promote the sound development of US-China relations, making it of great significance. Maintaining dialogue and communication between the United States and China helps enhance mutual trust, manage differences, expand consensus, and promote cooperation.
As important trading partners, the US and China each possess strong complementary advantages in areas such as natural resources, markets, capital, and technology, offering vast opportunities for cooperation. Those advocating for “decoupling and supply chain disruptions” clearly lack rational consideration. Against the backdrop of rising uncertainty in the current international environment, maintaining stable, healthy, and sustainable development of US-China economic and trade relations is conducive to maintaining the stability of global industrial and supply chains, boosting market confidence, and is in the common interest of both peoples. It will also inject more stability and certainty into the world economy.
There are no winners in tariff wars and trade wars. The US should abandon zero-sum thinking, fully recognize the enormous potential of US-China cooperation, establish a win-win cooperation concept, and contribute to improving people’s livelihoods and promoting common development worldwide. In fact, the American people hold a friendly yearning for China and eagerly anticipate visiting and exchanging ideas with it. Two years ago, I visited Beijing and stayed for nine days, personally experiencing the sincerity, enthusiasm, and friendliness of the Chinese people, and also feeling their sincere expectation for friendly exchanges between the American and Chinese people. Recently, a friend of mine traveled to China and had a very pleasant experience, deeply appreciating the warm hospitality of the Chinese people. Because of this wonderful experience in China, my family and I plan to travel there again this summer.
This meeting between the US and Chinese heads of state will inject vitality into promoting friendly exchanges between the two peoples, enhance the American people’s understanding of China, and encourage them to truly get closer to this fascinating country and witness firsthand the vibrant picture of ancient civilization and modern development complementing each other. Looking at the international situation and the development of bilateral relations, there is no reason for the US and China to move towards confrontation. Cooperation between the two countries benefits both, while confrontation harms both. The two countries can absolutely achieve mutual success and common prosperity. Working together, the US and China will inject strong momentum into global stability, development, and prosperity, making the world a better place. We look forward to both countries jointly maintaining a stable, healthy, and sustainable bilateral relationship, jointly addressing global challenges, jointly committing to reducing hunger and poverty, helping underdeveloped countries achieve industrialization, promoting sustainable global economic growth, and safeguarding world peace and prosperity.
On Sunday, May 17, People’s Daily published additional remarks from Lawrence Freeman. Under the title:
Promoting the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-US relations
”The meeting between the US and Chinese leaders is of great significance to both countries and the world. The mutual respect and friendly attitude shown by the two leaders have laid a solid foundation for strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, science and technology, culture, and maintaining international and regional stability. We look forward to this meeting opening a new chapter in US-China relations and promoting the long-term stable development of bilateral relations,” said Lawrence Freeman, an international affairs expert in the United States.
Read below, my earlier posts on this topic.
China & BRICS Choose Progress Over West’s Deindustrialization
Franklin Roosevelt Intended to Industrialize the ‘Global South’: The Case of Ethiopia
Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa, who has been involved in economic development policies for Africa for over 35 years. He is a teacher, writer, public speaker, consultant on Africa, and an analyst of global strategic relations. Mr. Freeman strongly believes that economic development is an essential human right. He is the creator of the blog: lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com, also publishes on: lawrencefreeman.substack.com, “Freeman’s Africa and the World, and on X @lkfreemansafrica