On November 9, 2023, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng attended the Hong Kong Forum on U.S.-China Relations 2023 and delivered remarks via video link. The theme of the forum this year is “Change and Progress”. More than 400 delegates from strategic, business and other communities of both countries attended the event, including Chairman of the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF) John Zhao, Executive Vice Chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges Bi Jingquan, former U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, and former U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus.

In his remarks, Ambassador Xie Feng commended the CUSEF for its contribution to encouraging constructive dialogue and diverse exchanges between the two peoples and promoting China-U.S. communication and cooperation. He saluted and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Chairman Emeritus of the CUSEF Tung Chee-Hwa and others who have long cared for and supported China-U.S. relations. Ambassador Xie pointed out that changes in the world, in our times and in history are unfolding in ways like never before, and instabilities and uncertainties are apparently on the rise. At the same time, around the world, people’s appeal for peace, development and cooperation is getting louder and louder, and their aspiration for a better life is unstoppable. As China-U.S. relations suffered from serious difficulties in the past few years and hit the lowest point since the establishment of diplomatic ties, there has also been a growing call for stopping the downward spiral.

Ambassador Xie said that under the guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden and with joint efforts of both sides, we have seen some positive signs of a more stable China-U.S. relationship recently. The two sides have conducted a series of high-level interactions, launched a series of dialogue mechanisms, and reignited exchanges and cooperation at various levels. All these have together sent out a positive signal of stabilizing China-U.S. relations. Both sides believe that it is beneficial and necessary for the two countries to maintain dialogue, both share the hope to stabilize and improve bilateral relations as soon as possible, and both have agreed to work together toward a meeting between the two Presidents in San Francisco.

Ambassador Xie said that China-U.S. relations are still facing grave challenges, and there remains a long way to go to stabilize and improve the bilateral relationship. Most importantly, we need to find the right way for our two countries to get along in the new era. The three principles outlined by President Xi Jinping, namely, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, have pointed us in the right direction. The top priority is for both sides to make joint efforts toward a meeting between the two Presidents in San Francisco. To move toward San Francisco, it is important to return to the Bali consensus, and earnestly act on the important common understanding reached between the two Presidents in Bali; to enhance whole-process management, foster a sound atmosphere before dialogue, build up positive outcomes during the process, and take solid follow-up actions afterwards; and to work in the same direction, clear obstacles and manage differences with concrete actions, and enhance dialogue and cooperation in good faith.

Ambassador Xie said that as the world is emerging from the pandemic, China-U.S. relations also need to come out of the woods. He encouraged people from various sectors in both countries to travel more and have more dialogue and exchanges, so as to gradually thaw the ice of misunderstanding and misperception, and build bridges for mutual understanding. Ambassador Xie expressed his hope that the CUSEF and all the participants will continue to make their voices of reason heard, pool wisdom, foster public support for China-U.S. friendship, and make new contribution to bringing China-U.S. relations back to the track of healthy, stable and sustainable development.

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