Cooperation between China and the United States is "crucial" and can create more opportunities not just for the two countries but for the wider world, according to former U.S. diplomat Kenneth Quinn.
Quinn, who is president emeritus of the World Food Prize Foundation, an organization honoring exceptional achievements in addressing food security, and also a former U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, was speaking to the China Global Television Network (CGTN) ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to China from May 13 to 15.
Despite past tensions, Quinn stressed that strong ties between the world's two largest economies are of pivotal importance to the entire globe.
"The relationship between China and the United States is crucial for America and China, but indeed it's crucial for the world. I believe the relationship is at a kind of a critical point about which way are we going to go. There are some forces that are kind of pulling us apart and there's other compelling needs that should be pulling us together," he said.
Given the present geopolitical complexities, Quinn expressed concern about the potential harm caused to bilateral ties following comments by some political actors, stressing that the two sides need to find ways to be partners.
"From statements made in the United States by various political figures that people in China, journalists, diplomats may say, it sounds like the U.S. wants to be adversaries or view us as an adversary. And, I worry very much that will take us in the wrong way and that we need to find ways to be partners. And together, the two of them can do things that neither can do by himself. Putting our two countries together, the opportunities, I don't know that they're endless, but the opportunities are dramatically increased," he said.
China-US cooperation "crucial" to world, can create more opportunities: former US diplomat
