2nd October 2026 – (New York) China’s ambassador to the United States Xie Feng said a landmark leaders’ summit last week marked a historic moment in bilateral engagement and reaffirmed the strategic value of China‑United States relations for a new era. In an interview with American media on Tuesday, 29th September, published on Thursday, 1st October, and in remarks at a National Day reception on Wednesday, 30th September, he indicated that the two heads of state could convene twice more before year’s end, in Shenzhen and Miami, to inject fresh momentum into ties.
Xie Feng said the leaders’ reciprocal visits within six months underscored the importance both sides attach to a sound working relationship at the highest level and a shared commitment to seize the moment to stabilise and improve relations. He described the visit’s outcomes as substantive and weighty, steering the development of a constructive and strategically stable relationship and pointing a way to avoid the so‑called Thucydides Trap by defining a correct approach to major‑power relations.
Pressed on issues related to Iran, he said China maintains an objective and impartial stance, is committed to stopping war and promoting peace, and seeks de‑escalation. He argued that maximum pressure does not yield peace and reiterated opposition to unilateral sanctions and extraterritorial “long‑arm jurisdiction”.
He said the leaders expanded the definition of a constructive and strategically stable relationship into one “based on respect, fairness and reciprocity”. Respect, he noted, entails acknowledging each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the chosen social systems and development paths, and core interests and major concerns. Fairness means pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation and handling differences through consultation rather than zero‑sum games. Reciprocity, he added, recognises sovereign equality without hierarchy and rejects bullying.
Emphasising shared responsibility as leading nations in artificial intelligence, Xie Feng said both sides should build “guardrails” and fit “brakes” rather than stoke competitive races or erect new “iron curtains”. He also voiced hopes that the United States government would increase direct flights, streamline visa procedures and clear two‑way channels for people‑to‑people exchanges, while supporting dialogue and cooperation across youth, education, culture, tourism and sports.