China-U.S. common interests outweigh differences: Chinese ambassador

The common interests between China and the United States outweigh their differences as they are having more cooperation than disagreement despite the recent dispute over the South China Sea, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai said Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters at a welcome reception held at the Chinese Embassy for newly-appointed Minister Li Kexin, Cui noted that there always exists a big picture in the China-U.S. relations, and that ensuring healthy and steady development of the bilateral ties is not only in the interest of both sides, but also the global responsibility shared by them.

"If we both can keep the general situation in mind, then it will be easier to resolve some specific problems" in the bilateral relations," the Chinese envoy said.

It is inevitable that differences, disagreements and even conflicts of interest exist in the China-U.S. ties, but there are always more areas in which the two sides need to cooperate. "This situation will never change," Cui said.

In his speech at the reception, Cui pointed out that the China-U.S. ties are at a "critical juncture" this year, as the two sides will hold a series of high-level dialogues and talks.

The two sides are to hold the seventh annual Strategic and Economic Dialogue and the sixth High-level Consultation on People-to-people Exchange in Washington late the month. And, most importantly, Chinese President Xi Jinping is to pay his first state visit to the United States in September.

"China's relationship with the U.S. is at a critical juncture now. The choices we make will make difference for the relationship not only in the next year or two, but also even for a longer period," Cui said.

Despite all the existing disagreements, which are sometimes exaggerated by the media, China and the United States "do have growing mutual needs and common interests. We're connected in so many ways and we're working together on so many fronts," the veteran diplomat said.

He said the two countries enjoy common interest in security, economy, finance, trade, and mutual investment, and share responsibilities in dealing with many regional and global issues, like climate change, non-proliferation, countering terrorism, disease-control, and disaster relief.

"So it's quite clear that our common interests far outweigh any possible differences between our two great countries, and there's certainly no alternative for us but to build up this new model of relationship between us," Cui said.

On the recent dispute over the South China Sea that has raised tensions in the China-U.S. ties, Cui blamed Washington for "creating something out of nothing."

He said that the South China Sea should not have become an issue between Beijing and Washington in the first place, because Washington is not one of the claimants. He reiterated that China's construction activities in the region fall well within the scope of its sovereignty.

On the ongoing visit to the United States by Tsai Ing-wen, chair of Taiwan's opposition Democratic Progressive Party and its sole candidate for the 2016 leadership election, Cui said that Washington knows very well about China's position on its ties with Taiwan, which strongly opposes the island's independence.

Commenting on media reports that Tsai is in fact doing an "interview test" in Washington to seek U.S. endorsement before the 2016 election, Cui advised that she should instead pass the test by 1.3 billion Chinese on the Mainland by accepting the one-China principle rather than playing deceptive tricks through making ambiguous statements on whether she will abandon her ambition to seek the island's independence. Endi