China's foreign minister says Beijing is open to restarting its relationship with the US, declaring the two countries are at a "critical historical juncture" after a year of escalating tensions. In a video address at the US-China Business Council on Monday, Wang Yi said US policy on China needed to return to "objectivity and rationality," according to a transcript published on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website.
"(We should) strive to restart the dialogue, get back to the right track, and rebuild mutual trust in the next phase of Sino-US relations," Wang said. He blamed the growing divisions between the US and China on some Americans with "outdated Cold War mentality and ideological prejudices. The key is to respect each other. Respect each other's historical and cultural heritage, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and respect each other's ... choices," Wang said.
The council is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of more than 200 American companies doing business in China.
