In 2018, US President Donald Trump declared that the US had erred in backing China’s accession into the World Trade Organization in 2001. He was convicted that such political establishment had been lulled by China’s still juvenile economic situation in the late 1980s, and that American politicians failed to grasp that supporting China’s candidacy would create a political and economic risk to the US’ global hegemony.

(The following is the keynote speech by Chinese ambassador to the United States Mr. Qin Gang at the welcome event hosted by the National Committee on US-China R

China’s new Ambassador Qin Gang has arrived in Washington, DC, tasked with chipping away at the frosty relationship between America and his home country.

Recent events in Sino-American relations indicate that China may no longer be willing to work with the United States on managing contentious issues or buffering the rivalry between the two powers. Beijing’s recent interactions with American officials indicate a new uncompromising and “maximalist” approach, based on the belief that America is in terminal decline and its need to compromise or show deference is over.

It is time for China, once and for all, to counter the ideological demonization of the United States and explain itself to the world. To do that, it needs to articulate convincing values and ideas as alternatives to American-style democracy.

Wide-ranging conversation may signal a U.S. intention to appease China. But the Biden administration apparently wants to avoid being seen as overly provocative, even as it adopts a competitive and confrontational stance on the real issues and creates diversions with others.

The problem of an aging society afflicts both China and the United States, and there is plenty of room for cooperation to address common interests. As the demographic trend continues, the impact on their respective agendas will only become more pronounced.

China and the U.S. share misguided illusions of the other that remain unproductive and even dangerous. Both governments must strive to see each other clearly and cooperate in the face of increasing public hostility.

The perception of righteous values and a sense of inflated confidence is hurting relations between the U.S. and China.

When it comes to participation in international organizations, the objectives of the major powers are not entirely clear. Will there be competition for influence or can China and the United States develop opportunities for cooperation? Only the latter will promote a healthy model of global governance.