‘History and reality have shown time and again that these issues concern China's core interests, national dignity, as well as the sentiments of its 1.4 billion people. They constitute a red line that must not be crossed.’

In his first speech to an American audience since the Biden administration took office, Politburo Member Yang Jiechi, director of the Office of the Central Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Politburo of the 19th CPC Central Committee, spoke on the state of U.S.-China relations and prospects for the future.

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‘For the past few years, the Trump administration adopted misguided policies against China, plunging the relationship into its most difficult period since the establishment of diplomatic ties.’

• ‘Some in the United States, sticking to Cold War thinking, perceived China as a threat.’
• ‘Their rhetoric and actions have interfered in China's internal affairs, undermined China's interests, and disrupted exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.’
• ‘There have also been attempts to seek "decoupling" and a so-called "new Cold War".’

‘China calls for establishing a new type of international relations characterized by mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation, and for building a community with a shared future for mankind.’

• ‘This is both our vision and our guide for action.’

‘More than a week ago, the Biden administration officially took office.’

• ‘China-U.S. relations now stand at a key moment and face new opportunities and new challenges.’
• ‘People in the two countries and beyond are watching closely as to where this relationship is heading.’
• ‘It is a task for both China and the United States to restore the relationship to a predictable and constructive track of development, and to build a model of interaction between the two major countries that focuses on peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.’

‘By focusing on cooperation and managing differences together, the two sides will be able to return the relationship to the course of sound and steady development.’

• ‘For that to happen, I believe the following are most important:’

‘First, China should be seen as it is. The previous administration has pursued some misguided policies towards China. ‘

• ‘The root cause, I would say, is a strategic misjudgment by some in the United States - they view China as a major strategic competitor, even an adversary.’

‘That, I am afraid, is historically, fundamentally and strategically wrong.’

• ‘China's development is essentially about bettering the lives of its people.’
• ‘China is committed to the path of peaceful development, a win-win strategy of opening-up, and a development that is shared by all countries, the United States included.’

‘Third, proper management of differences is called for.’

‘China never meddles in the internal affairs of the United States, including its elections.’

• ‘China never exports its development model or seeks ideological confrontation.'
• 'China has no intention to challenge or replace the U.S. position in the world, or to carve out a sphere of influence.’

‘Likewise, we expect the United States to honor its commitment under the three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiqués, strictly abide by the One China principle, and respect China's position and concerns on the Taiwan question.’

• ‘The United States should stop interference in the affairs of Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang, which all matter to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stop attempts to hold back China's development by meddling in China's internal affairs.’

‘History and reality have shown time and again that these issues concern China's core interests, national dignity, as well as the sentiments of its 1.4 billion people.’

• ‘They constitute a red line that must not be crossed.’

‘Any trespassing would end up undermining China-U.S. relations and the United States' own interests.’

• ‘We in China hope that the U.S. side will fully understand the sensitivity of these issues and handle them with prudence, so as to avoid disruption or damage to mutual trust and cooperation.’