GRAND RAPIDS, United States: It is destructive to hold “zero-sum game” mindset and over-emphasise the aspect of competition in China-US ties, Chinese Ambassador to the United States (US) Cui Tiankai said on Friday.
According to Xinhua News Agency Cui made the remarks while addressing a public event held by a non-profit organisation in the Midwestern US state of Michigan.
The Chinese ambassador noted that some people saw competition between the two countries as a “zero-sum” and “winner-takes-all” game, which was “very negative, very destructive” to the bilateral ties.
Pointing out that “competition” originally was a good word instead of a bad one in both Chinese and English languages, Cui said the problem today is “too much emphasis” had been added to it.
The two countries should have competition and at the same time cooperate with each other, the ambassador said. “We should have a win-win result.”
The Chinese diplomat also noted that Chinese and US companies should compete as well as cooperate with each other. “The real story in business is not that black-and-white,” he said.
More than 400 guests, including former US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns, attended the luncheon held by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan, which aims to provide forums for conversation on international topics.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the China-US diplomatic relations.
Bilateral trade grew from less than $2.5 billion 40 years ago to over $580 billion in 2017. Over the same period, the stock of two-way investment rose from practically nil to more than $230 billion. – Bernama
