Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Tuesday it is important for China and the U.S. to avoid conflict and confrontation and stick to cooperation and integration.

Wang made the remarks at a dinner co-hosted by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, the U.S.-China Business Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Council on Foreign Relations in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.

In his speech, Wang said China-U.S. relations have once again reached a "crossroad" with "two very different routes."

He urged the U.S. to avoid another misguided fight with the wrong country and called on the two countries to turn to history for inspiration and guidance for future relations. 

Wang also made suggestions for China-U.S. relations, including boosting cooperation in mutually beneficial areas, managing differences with a non-confrontational spirit, and adhering to the principle of non-interference when dealing with each other's core interests.

Here are some of the key points from Wang's speech:

"China and the United States differ from each other in history, culture, social system, development path and national conditions," Wang said, stressing that "Neither country can mold the other in one's own image."

"Real harmony is anchored upon recognition of and respect for disparities," Wang said, calling for cooperation.

"Differences and disparities should not be a chasm that prevents people from engaging each other, but an impetus to mutual learning and shared progress," Wang said, reiterating that conflict and confrontation are not in the fundamental interests of either China or the U.S.

He said China understands countries differ and have different needs, adding that "China fully respects the choices of other countries" and will not "export our social system or development model."

China will not follow the path of past powers who sought hegemony, Wang reiterated.

China has no intention to play "power games" with the U.S., Wang stressed, referring to the so-called "power transfer theory" propagated by some in the U.S.

According to Wang, the fear of China challenging and even replacing the U.S. in the international arena not only indicates a strategic misunderstanding of China's foreign policy but also reveals a lack of confidence.

As the largest developing country in the world, China still has a large gap with the U.S. in terms of its national income per capita, Human Development Index (HDI), and technology and education level, Wang said.

He added that in the face of growing global challenges, no country can manage alone or stand aloof.

China is willing to take on its due responsibility, Wang stressed, calling on all countries, major countries in particular, to do the same.

"The two countries are among the most important trade partners and investment destinations for each other," Wang said, noting that opening-up should go both ways.

He noted the tremendous benefits bilateral cooperation have brought in the past 40 years, stressing that mutually beneficial cooperation is the "only right option for China and the United States."

Speaking of trade frictions between the two countries, Wang said they have not only inflicted losses on both countries but have also made the world suffer.

"Cooperation benefits both China and the U.S. and the rest of the world. While friction will only create a lose-lose situation and harm the whole world," Wang concluded, stating that opening-up is China's set state policy.

The country will never close its door. Instead, it will open it even wider, the minister said.

According to Wang, trade friction between the two countries would raise tariffs, push up U.S. production costs and consumer prices, dampen the growth potential of the U.S. economy and wipe out job opportunities.

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Wang vowed that the country will stick to its own development path.

The path, according to Wang, is socialism with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. 

China will be steadfast and resolute in advancing along the path it has chosen and in the direction it has set, Wang said, stressing that the destiny of China is in its own hands.

Wang also said that China welcomes all "well-intentioned advice and valuable opinions from foreign friends."

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks, September 24, 2019. /Photo via Chinese Foreign Ministry)