Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has met with US President Barack Obama at the White House on the final day of his three-day visit to Washington. Wang Yi also had a rare chance of speaking at length at a Washington think tank on China-US relations.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi's three-day visit to Washington set the tone for China-US relations. Speaking at a Washington think tank, Wang Yi cleared the air on China's economic slowdown.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during a discussion on Chinese foreign policy and China-U.S. Relations at Center for Strategic and International Studies(CSIS) in Washington D.C., the United States, on Feb. 25, 2016. (Xinhua/Bao Dandan)
"We have heard many concerns about China's economic development. But here I would like to tell our friends China's economy is not heading for a hard landing. China will continue its opening-up policy and advance economic reforms," Wang said.
Wang pointed out that rapid economic growth during the past decades has lifted 600 million people out of poverty, and made China the second largest economy in the world.
He said China will continue its structural reforms, and the economy will be healthier, greener and more sustainable.
The foreign minister said China's diplomacy is an extension of its domestic affairs, in particular, development.
The most important mission is to work with more countries to promote the "Belt and Road" initiative.
There's also safeguarding China's expanding overseas interests, and the interests of Chinese nationals and enterprises overseas.
Wang Yi said China will play a more active part in the settlement of international hotspot issues.
And he stressed that China and the US are not competitors. He said strengthening mutual trust is key.
"The goal of building a new model of major country relationship between China and the US is to foster win-win relations. I think that's a right way to go. And we are working with the US in this direction, to deepen mutual understanding, to increase dialogue, and to advance ties," Wang said.
Wang said the common interests are far more important than differences. He said a solid China-US relationship will benefit not only their people, but also countries in the world at large.
