China says it seeks communications with US but vows to hold its ‘red lines’
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National People's Congress spokesman Lou Qinjian said China and the US should respect each other and coexist peacefully.
PHOTO: REUTERS
BEIJING – China is willing to work with the US to promote communication on all levels, while upholding its “red lines” and principles, Mr Lou Qinjian, a spokesman for its Parliament, said on March 4.
The National People’s Congress opens its annual session on March 5, where it will unveil the economic targets and policy priorities for 2026.
The meeting comes at a sensitive moment for China-US relations, as both sides look to stabilise ties ahead of an expected summit of leaders Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing at the end of March.
Bilateral relations, already bruised due to trade tensions, have been further strained by the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a Caracas raid in January and the US-Israeli war against Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
China counts both countries as long-time major oil suppliers and close partners.
Mr Lou repeated China’s call for an immediate ceasefire and urged respect for Iran’s sovereignty.
“No country has the right to control international affairs, dictate the fate of other nations, or monopolise development advantages, still less to act as it pleases on the world stage,” he told a press conference.
China and the US should respect each other and coexist peacefully, Mr Lou said.
“China has its own principles and red lines, and as always, will resolutely defend its sovereignty, security and development interests,” he said.
Diplomacy between heads of state has an “irreplaceable strategic role” in guiding the two countries’ ties, Mr Lou added, urging them to “expand the list of cooperation (areas) while reducing the list of problems”.
He called on the US Congress to view China “objectively”, and do more to benefit ties.
A White House official has confirmed Mr Trump will travel to China from March 31 to April 2, although Beijing has made no official announcement.
Top trade negotiators of both sides are expected to meet in Paris next week to discuss potential business deals linked to the highly anticipated meeting, Bloomberg News said on March 3. REUTERS
