Wang Yi Delivers an Address at the Meeting in Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Shanghai Communiqué

On February 28, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a video address at the meeting in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Shanghai Communiqué.

Wang Yi said, fifty years ago today, China and the United States jointly issued the Shanghai Communiqué. It started the process toward normalization of China-U.S. relations. Guided by the spirit of the Shanghai Communiqué, China and the United States have achieved a series of major progress in bilateral relations, and have done many great things benefiting the world through bilateral cooperation. To get a correct understanding of the Communiqué's spirit will help us see more clearly why the ice in the relationship thawed and barriers were removed, and know how the relationship can forge ahead.

History tells us that by following the trend of the times, we can make the right strategic choice. The issuance of the Shanghai Communiqué shook the world, and also changed the world. Leaders of the two countries discerned keenly the expectation of the world for easing international tensions, and acted on the aspiration of the Chinese and American peoples for peace and friendship between the two countries. With great political courage, they made the historic handshake across the vastest ocean in the world.

History tells us that by seeking common ground while reserving differences, we can attain peaceful co-existence between countries with different social systems. The older generation of leaders in both countries realized that despite the differences, neither side had the intention to change the other. Both sides hoped to see that the two countries could grow in parallel and conduct cooperation based on shared interests. This is an important spirit embodied in the Shanghai Communiqué. It remains valid 50 years on today.

History tells us that by following the basic norms of international relations, we can build real guardrails for China-U.S. relations. The Communiqué underscores that countries, regardless of their social systems, should all abide by the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, non-aggression against other states, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence. This fully echoes the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. It worked in the past, it is relevant now, and it should be upheld in the future.

Wang Yi emphasized, the China-U.S. relationship is facing daunting challenges rarely seen since the establishment of the diplomatic ties. An important reason for this situation is that the principles and spirit established by the Shanghai Communiqué have not been truly followed. China and the United States once again need to make a historic choice. The right answer is already enshrined right there in the Shanghai Communiqué. During his virtual meeting with President Joe Biden last November, President Xi Jinping put forward the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful co-existence and win-win cooperation, laying out the framework for future growth of China-U.S. relations. President Biden responded positively. These important common understandings between the two presidents are not just a furtherance of historical experience. Moreover, they are also new and creative advances that conform with the trend of the times. China urges the United States to reinstate a reasonable and pragmatic China policy, and work with China to put into real actions the common understandings between the presidents as well as President Biden's statement, in a bid to put China-U.S. relations back on track at an early date.

First, we must uphold the one-China principle and consolidate the political foundation of China-U.S. relations. Taiwan has been an inalienable part of Chinese territory since ancient times. There is no controversy at all in the international community regarding China's sovereignty over Taiwan. In 1971, the United States affirmed to China the new principles it would follow with regard to the Taiwan question. They include: the United States would acknowledge that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is a part of China; the United States would not repeat the phrase that the status of Taiwan is undetermined; the United States had not supported, and would not support movements for "Taiwan independence". President Nixon reaffirmed these principles to Premier Zhou Enlai during his visit to China in 1972. That was how the Shanghai Communiqué came into being. History brooks no falsification, and what is right or wrong should not be distorted. The United States should return to the original and true meaning of the one-China principle, honor its political commitments to China, and fulfill its due international obligations. It should stop draining the one-China principle of its essence, and hollowing it out. It should stop encouraging and supporting "Taiwan independence" moves, stop attempting to use the Taiwan question to contain China, and stop saying or doing things that interfere in China's internal affairs, so as to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and uphold the larger interests of China-U.S. relations.

Second, we must respect each other and ensure the right direction for China-U.S. relations. China and the United States are countries significantly different in social system, history, culture, and many other areas. The two sides need to view bilateral relations in a broader perspective and more inclusive attitude, and choose dialogue over confrontation, cooperation over conflict, openness over seclusion, and integration over decoupling. China respects the social system of the United States, and never bets against the United States. China hopes that the United States will stay open and confident, and keep growing and making progress. The United States should also respect China's development path, and welcome a peaceful, stable and prosperous China. It should abandon its mania for zero-sum games, give up its obsession with encircling and containing China, and break free from the shackles of political correctness. The United States should truly see China as a partner in the course of development, rather than an adversary in power games. Cooperation represents the mainstream of China-U.S. relations. To define the relationship as competition is oversimplification. Even if there is competition, it should be about who does a better job in running the country and who contributes more to the world.

Third, we must pursue win-win cooperation and promote the development and prosperity of both countries. At present, China and the United States are both facing new circumstances for development. Cooperation is the best choice for both sides. China is ready to work with the United States to fully bring out our comparative strengths, expand practical cooperation in such areas as economy, trade and investment, and steadily make our cooperation list longer. We welcome more active involvement by U.S. firms in China's new development paradigm featuring dual circulations. The United States should also take the lead in building an open world economy and observing international economic and trade rules, and provide a fair, equitable and non-discriminatory market environment for businesses from all countries, including China. We should promote engagement, communication, exchanges and cooperation at all levels and in all areas. We should step up the exchange at sub-national levels and between cities, peoples, think tanks, media and businesses, ignite our people's enthusiasm for interactions, and strengthen the bond of friendship between China and the United States.

Fourth, we must shoulder responsibilities as major countries and provide the world with more public goods. Global challenges call for global cooperation. China and the United States, as major countries, need to stand up to the mission, and play due roles. The two countries can join hands to provide more vaccines for Africa and the rest of the developing world, maintain macroeconomic policy coordination, and work together to address the climate crisis. China is open to U.S. Participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative. We are also ready to consider coordinating with the Build Back Better World initiative of the United States to provide more quality public goods for the world. China and the United States jointly stated in the Shanghai Communiqué that "neither should seek hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region". China has not, does not and will not seek any hegemony, and neither should the United States. The Asia-Pacific region should well become a demonstration field of building mutual trust and cooperation, rather than a backyard where one pursues sphere of influence, let alone a wrestling ground for confrontation or conflict. The United States should stop initiating bloc confrontation and developing small, exclusive circles in the region. It should work with China and other regional countries to build a big Asia-Pacific family featuring openness and inclusiveness, innovation-driven growth, greater connectivity, and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Wang Yi said that both the Chinese and American peoples are great peoples. Since the door of China-U.S. relations has been opened, it should not be closed again. Since the world has emerged from the Cold War, it should not see the descending of another iron curtain. Standing at a new historical starting point, both China and the United States need to draw wisdom from the Shanghai Communiqué, follow the guidance of the important common understandings between the two presidents, and find the right way for China-U.S. relations under the new circumstances on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, so as to deliver benefits to both countries and the world.

The meeting in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Shanghai Communiqué was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, and China-U.S. Peoples Friendship Association. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee Li Qiang attended and addressed the opening ceremony and representatives from political, business, academic and other circles and friendly people from China and the United States attended the meeting.