Strengthening cooperation is in line with the common interests of the United States and China

Lawrence Freeman, an American international expert, recently stated in an interview with our reporter that strengthening cooperation between the United States and China is of great significance for global development. The United States needs to abandon the Cold War mentality and zero sum game concept. China is not an enemy of the United States, and cooperation between the two countries can benefit both countries and the world.

In September of this year, Freeman visited Beijing and Shanghai in China. He stated that visiting China was one of his most unique experiences. He was deeply moved to witness the tremendous changes that have taken place in China in less than two generations. The most enjoyable thing for him was visiting traditional Chinese architectural complexes such as the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. In modern cities, preserving traditional architecture is incredible. It inspires me to learn more about Chinese culture and history, "Freeman said.

"A few decades ago, bicycles were the main means of transportation for most Chinese people. Today, China's modern transportation infrastructure has achieved remarkable results, profoundly changing the way Chinese people travel." Freeman took the Beijing Shanghai high-speed railway during this visit. "This is a great experience. The high-speed train has traveled more than 1300 kilometers in four and a half hours, making the whole journey smooth and comfortable. On the way to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, I also took the only maglev train in the world that has been put into commercial operation." Freeman said that during the visit, he was also impressed by the friendliness of the Chinese people. "This kind of friendliness makes foreigners like me feel comfortable in China. Although there are language barriers, they are still eager to help me." He looks forward to visiting China again, and also hopes that more American people will come to China to see the real China and break the "old and stereotyped narrative" of China in some American media.

Some people in the United States believe that China is a rival and an enemy. Some of the US Congress and government's policies towards China lack a rational basis, "Freeman said. The United States has always emphasized a" rules based international order, "which is actually sticking to the Cold War mentality and viewing the relationship between the US and China as a zero sum game is a dangerous concept.

So far, the governments of the United States and China have been able to manage the relationship between the two countries through dialogue and communication. However, risks still exist, especially in the context of increasing discussions about tariff policies within the United States. Freeman said that punitive tariffs will not work, and as the world's second-largest economy, China's economy has enough resilience and will continue to develop and prosper.

In Freeman's view, some American politicians are making a fundamental strategic mistake by portraying China as an enemy. In fact, China and the United States are ideal partners for global development. These two superpowers have the ability to change our world for future generations. Strengthening cooperation is in the common interests of the United States and China, and will benefit all countries in the world

Freeman used the African continent as an example to say that there are still many African people living in extreme poverty of $2.15 or less per day. China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and has rich experience in eliminating poverty. The cooperation between the United States and China can enhance the ability of African countries to solve hunger and poverty problems, and contribute to the global development cause.

Freeman said that if the United States and China cooperate in this field, it will provide opportunities for different countries to improve the quality of human life through cooperation, "the United States should break away from the thinking framework of the 'rule-based international order' and cooperate with China to fight hunger and poverty. With the expansion of population size and improvement of material living conditions, the potential for economic growth driven by this is enormous.

(Washington, D.C.)