Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and external relations on the sidelines of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2025. /Xinhua

First Voice

With U.S. President Donald Trump launching sweeping policy changes that have sent ripples across the world, how China will interact with the world's superpower has turned out to be a key issue of concern at the press conference that Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, held on Friday on the sidelines of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress.

"Mutual respect is a basic norm governing state-to-state relations. It is also an important prerequisite for China-U.S. relations," Wang stressed on Friday.

China has stressed the importance of "mutual respect" on several occasions, but regrettably, Trump has been straining every nerve to contain China's growth since assuming office.

To "protect" what he calls "fair" and "just" trade – Trump has started a tariff fight against friends and foes alike. Disregard China's strong opposition, Trump insists a second wave of tariffs on goods from China. The cumulative 20 percent tax on Chinese imports comes on top of the tariffs he imposed during his first term in office.

Trump's "high fences and small yards" stance is not just on trade. China's successful launch of low-cost AI tools, for instance, has sparked Washington's concern about its hegemonic position. The U.S. Congress is under mounting pressure to pass a law banning DeepSeek on all government devices, with some states already doing so. The U.S., as observers believe, finds it unacceptable to let China get ahead in science and technology.

Wang's message is clear, "Where there is blockade, there is breakthrough; where there is suppression, there is innovation; where there is the fiercest storm, there is the platform launching China's science and technology skyward like the Chinese mythological hero Nezha soaring into the heavens."

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and external relations on the sidelines of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2025. /Xinhua

As Wang noted on Friday "no mountains can stop the surging flow of a mighty river," the Trump administration's attempts to stifle China's technological growth have only ended up with China's determination to innovate. From breakthroughs in atomic bombs decades ago to DeepSeek, China – despite Western suppression – is growing into a science and technology powerhouse.

China, on several occasions, have urged for cooperation. "Given the extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation, it is fully possible for China and the United States to become partners helping each other succeed and prosper together," Wang said on Friday.

But as known to all, the U.S. has been adept at playing the old tactic of double standards: while introducing a slew of measures to contain China, Trump has been talking loud about his "sincerity" in forging "good" relations with the world's second largest economy.

"No country should fantasize that it can suppress China and maintain good relations with China at the same time. Such two-faced acts are not good for the stability of bilateral relations, or for building mutual trust," Wang responded to Washington's double-dealing.

China is open to cooperation and, under the vision of building a community of a shared future for mankind, has been taking concrete measures to share its development dividends with countries across the world.

So far, more than 100 countries have voiced support for China's Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, and over three quarters of countries have joined and pledged to cooperate under China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

As Wang said on Friday, history will prove that a real winner is the one that keeps in mind the interests of all. Confrontation is never an option, and China is happy to share the opportunities and results of the Chinese modernization with all countries. This is the certainty that China vows to bring to an uncertain world.