Photo: ddzg.ciids.cn

The 2023 Understanding China Conference, with a theme of "China's new endeavors amid unprecedented global changes: expanding the convergence of interests and building a community of shared future," will be held in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province, from Friday to Sunday. The three-day conference will bring together over 70 international guests from more than 30 countries and regions.

Neil Bush, the founder and chair of the George H.W. Bush Foundation for US-China Relations, shared his belief in advancing China-US ties and reiterated the importance of expanding exchanges between China and the US.

"I wish there was a little courage in the US to do the right thing and increase incentives for bilateral trade as opposed to building tariffs and building walls that are making the trading more difficult," he said.

Bush noted that in dealing with issues that are so critical, such as the pandemic, climate change, poverty alleviation, agriculture and space technology, China and the US should really come together and collaborate toward a win-win future. "We have strengths. China has strengths. Let's bring the strengths together," said Bush.

"To build more respectful ties and closer relations between China and the US, we need to have far more exchanges. When you're present with other people, when you learn about them by firsthand experience of being with them, then you inevitably develop respect and inevitably develop avenues for cooperation."

Li Cheng, the founding director of the Centre on Contemporary China and the World at the University of Hong Kong, said the current global situation faces various troubling tendencies, including de-globalization and polarization. "The world we are in is actually facing many challenges, including climate change, and international cooperation is crucial," Li pointed out.

Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger passed away on Wednesday at the age of 100. Li, who maintained close communication with Kissinger over the past two decades, expressed his thoughts and condolences. "For the world, this marks the end of an era."

Regarding the marginalization of China hands in the US, Li stated that some members of the US Congress believe they can maintain their independence without engaging in business with China and without understanding China's cultural history, which is a very dangerous viewpoint. What is worrisome is that this trend is likely to continue, as there is a lack of interest in developing knowledge about the history of other countries.

Regarding current China-US exchanges and cooperation, Li said that there has at least been a breakthrough in security sector ties, including the establishment of dialogue between military forces. In a sense, security is not just about safety. If security issues can be eased, it will also contribute to the recovery and interaction of economies and trade, as well as offering a confidence boost for entrepreneurs at home and abroad.