Minister Xie Feng visited the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs at the invitation of BCFA President Frank Burd on February 4. The Deputy Chief of Mission delivered a keynote speech to a more than 600 audience including trustees of the Board of BCFA, representatives from local business community and the general public.

The Deputy Chief of Mission reviewed China's three decades of reform and opening-up. He noted that China remains the biggest developing country in the world despite the enormous achievements. China's development is peaceful in nature, and China will not harm or pose a threat to anyone. While unswervingly pursuing reform and opening-up, China will remain committed to the path of peaceful development. China is ready to establish and develop friendly relations and cooperation with all the countries in the world on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

The Minister said that China-U.S. relationship has made important progress despite twists and turns since the establishment of diplomatic relations 30 years ago. He stressed that in the early days of the new U.S. administration, China-U.S. relationship stands at a starting point – higher than ever before, and is faced with new opportunities. China is ready to work together with the new U.S. government to strengthen dialogue, broaden exchanges, increase trust and promote cooperation. In particular, two countries should refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs, observe the principles enshrined in the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, reach consensus on defining China-U.S. relations and maintain China-U.S. Strategic Economic Dialogue and Strategic Dialogue, and properly handle sensitive issues in bilateral relations so as to ensure a smooth transition of China-U.S. relations and new progress.

Minister Xie briefed his audience on joint efforts by China and the United States in response to the international financial crisis. He said that the two counties have stayed in touch with each other, coordinated economic and monetary policies, and strengthened cooperation in the economic and, especially, financial area since the current financial crisis broke out. He noted that steady and fast growth in China is a significant contribution to global financial stability and economic growth. With economic globalization, the world is getting smaller and smaller. It has become a global village. All this calls for greater mutual understanding, mutual support, and closer cooperation between China and the United States. Accusing the other side, blaming each other, politicizing economic issues, or resorting to protectionism are counterproductive and will lead to nowhere. Faced with the current crisis, China will work together with the United States to turn challenges into opportunities.

Minister Xie Feng also elaborated on the prospects for China-U.S. cooperation in energy and environmental protection, and called for stronger bilateral cooperation in this area. He expressed his hope that environmental protection and energy will become new highlights of China-U.S. relations in the new U.S. administration.

The Deputy Chief of Mission answered the audience's questions on Chinese RMB exchange rates, the Beijing Olympics, domestic healthcare reform, China's development vis-à-vis world prosperity, upsides and downsides of development models of China and the United States, the relations between China and G8 as well as G20, trio-relations of China, the United States and Japan as well as the Iranian nuclear issue.