Zhang Qiyue: We need to forego Cold War mentality

World
Europe

By CGTN's World Insight

For the past five years, China’s diplomacy has taken a new stance and approach. A more confident China has drawn much attention and thus rightfully requiring adjustment from its counterparts around the world.

"No matter what the attitude towards China is, it cannot be Cold War mentality," said Ambassador Zhang Qiyue, consul general of China in New York.

"More and more Chinese companies are becoming more active and investing in the US. The interaction between the people of the two countries has never been so strong. Because of the interdependence with the rest of the world, it means all sides have to deal with the problem with real solutions, including that between China and the US."

Zhang said that despite the recent talks of possible “trade war” between the two countries, she looks at the pressure coming from Washington more about a bargaining strategy than anything else.

Is the recent trade fraction only a hiccup?

"If you talk to people in the US from different counties and sectors, they all want a better relationship between China. They also want to learn more about China. Actually, in New York, all the private schools have Chinese language classes. I would say 40 years ago this was very hard to think about because we have to learn English. I think this is a trend; it means something. There is a strong desire."

"When there is a better understanding of each other, relations between countries can really improve."

World Insight With Tian Wei is a 45-minutes global affairs and debate show on CGTN. It airs weekdays at 10:15 p.m. BJT(1415GMT) with rebroadcasts at 4:15 a.m. BJT(20:15GMT)