The U.S. should stop various restrictions and discriminatory practices against Chinese companies and create favorable conditions for the implementation of the Phase One trade agreement, said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang.

Zheng made the remarks on July 15 during a video symposium with the heads and members of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) on Sino-U.S. relations and economic and trade issues.

Heavily suppressing Chinese high-tech companies will only drive China to accelerate independent innovation, promote the faster development of the high-tech industries, and the U.S. companies will lose market share and cooperation opportunities they could have, said Zheng.

"Those in the United States who advocate the separation of U.S. economic ties with China violate basic common sense and economic laws and damage the fundamental interests of businesses and consumers in both countries. We urge the U.S. to correct its mistakes and stop practices that harm others and self," said Zheng.

 A severe and complicated situation

Zheng pointed out that the current Sino-U.S. relations are at a crossroads, facing a severe and complicated situation rarely seen since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The U.S. has interfered with China's internal affairs and harmed China's interests on a series of issues, causing serious damage to the bilateral relations.

"China insists on promoting the development of Sino-U.S. relations that are mutual respect, and win-win, and in accordance with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and peoples of the world," said Zheng.

"However, the U.S. repays virtue with grievances and repeatedly challenges China's core interests. Any bullying and injustice imposed by the United States on China will be resolutely countered, and the United States' attempt to obstruct China's growth is doomed to fail," said Zheng.

Willing to cooperate in fight against COVID-19

Zheng said China is willing to cooperate with the U.S. to fight the pandemic by ways of sharing information and experience to save more lives. At the same time, China urges the U.S. to create a favorable atmosphere for cooperation between the two countries, instead of politicizing the coronavirus and stigmatizing China.

"China has achieved positive results in the battle against the coronavirus epidemic under the joint efforts from people across the country. The country held open and transparent attitudes during the process and shared information with the international community in a timely manner," said Zheng.

China expresses gratitude to the various help and supports from the AmCham and its members. After the epidemic spread in the United States, many Chinese provinces, cities, enterprises actively donated to the friendly cities, enterprises and people in the United States. China has also facilitated the purchase of large amounts of medical supplies, Zheng added.

China welcomes U.S. business community

Zheng said China welcomes the U.S. business community to invest and start businesses in China, and hopes the business community will seize the opportunities brought about by China's opening-up, strengthen cooperation and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

In addition, people from the AmCham who attended the meeting said that they attach great importance to the Chinese market and are optimistic about the prospects of China's economic development. They welcome the Chinese government to introduce a series of reform and opening-up measures, and are willing to continue to take root in China.

They said the stable development of Sino-U.S. relations is critical to the cooperation between the two countries. The U.S. business community clearly opposes the "decoupling" of the two economies. It is hoped that the U.S. and China will implement the Phase One trade agreement and create a favorable environment for cooperation between the two countries.

(Cover image via VCG)