BEIJING: Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi urged the United States to responsibly manage its differences with Beijing as tensions between the world’s two largest economies intensify over trade policies, global conflicts and security concerns.
Addressing reporters in Beijing during China’s annual political meetings – known as the “Two Sessions” – Wang emphasised that both countries must find ways to coexist despite their strategic rivalry.
Ties between Washington and Beijing have grown increasingly strained since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year, triggering a renewed trade dispute marked by tariffs on a wide range of goods from both sides.
The minister criticised what he described as attempts by the United States to disrupt global supply chains and impose tariff barriers, warning that such policies could ultimately damage the global economy.
He compared the strategy to “trying to extinguish a fire with fuel,” suggesting that escalating trade restrictions could backfire rather than resolve economic tensions, according to AFP.
Wang remarked that 2026 could prove pivotal for Sino-US relations. He acknowledged that while the two powers cannot fundamentally change each other’s political systems or global ambitions, they can adjust the way they interact.
“We cannot change each other, but we can change how we engage with each other,” he said, urging both sides to manage disputes and avoid unnecessary confrontation.
The remarks come ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in April, which could shape the future trajectory of bilateral relations.
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