On November 3, Zheng Bijian, Executive Vice-President of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, gave a speech responding to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick’s remarks on September 21, 2005 titled “Whither China: From Membership to Responsibility?.” A translation of Zheng’s speech, translated by Ho Cheeng Cheeng of The Straits Times translation desk, and the original Chinese version, are available here:
Many of you would have noted the speech on Sino-American relations made by US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick on Sept 21. I would also like to focus on the same topic to explain how a peacefully-rising China is a resolute force in maintaining world peace.
(1) It has been proven that having an awareness of the overall situation and being pragmatic are keys to increasing mutual trust and improving ties.
Sino-American ties are important but complicated. In the new situation where China and US are driving global economic development from the manufacturing and consumption ends respectively, active communication between both countries to promote interaction and increase trust is of utmost importance to developing healthy bilateral ties as well as maintaining a peaceful, prosperous world.