Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger on Friday that it's dangerous to advocate the so-called China-U.S. rivalry and decoupling, calling on the U.S. side to engage in a relationship that is based on non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and mutual benefit. 

This year marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the U.S., and both are once again at a crossroad, Wang said in his meeting with Kissinger on the sidelines of the 74th UN General Assembly in New York. 

It is dangerous for some people in the United States to advocate seeing China as an opponent, or even play up the idea of decoupling from China, Wang said.

China hopes the U.S. can work with it to manage differences on the basis of mutual respect, deepen cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit, and jointly push forward sound and stable development of bilateral relations, he added.

Kissinger said U.S-China relations are important to world peace and prosperity, and it's impossible for the two countries to decouple from each other or to avoid each other. The two sides should increase communication and settle differences through dialogue, he added. 

Wang also met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the same day.

Wang said the leaders of the two countries agreed to upgrade the bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership for coordination for a new era in June and he hoped the two sides work more closely in defending multilateralism and the UN Charter and deepen cooperation in various fields.

Lavrov sent congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. He said Russia is willing to work closely with China on international affairs and other areas.

When meeting with Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, Wang said China values the comprehensive strategic partnership with Venezuela and will continue to support the Venezuelan government and people in safeguarding their sovereignty, national dignity and social and economic stability.

China opposes unilateral sanctions and always supports small countries to safeguard their own independence and sovereignty, he added.

Rodriguez thanked China for its support in defending Venezuela's sovereignty and economic stability. She said China never interferes in other countries' domestic affairs and Venezuela is willing to work with China on bilateral cooperation and strategic communication.

(Cover: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with former U.S. secretary of state Henry Kissinger in New York, the United States, September 27, 2019.)