High hopes voiced for Xi's trip to US

China's Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai briefs Chinese media on the Sino-US leaders' upcoming summit in Washington, in this Nov 5, 2014 file photo. [Photo/Xinhua]

Cui, who was a vice-foreign minister before taking up his current post in April 2013, said China and the US also have expanding common needs and interests, adding, "Our common interests clearly outweigh our differences."

The career diplomat said the key is for both countries to better explore their common needs and interests and to expand cooperation, while constructively managing and controlling their differences.

"Only by doing this can China-US relations be kept on a healthy, stable and sustainable path," he said.

While US news headlines often suggest otherwise, Cui reminded people of the two nations' vast common interests.

These include two-way trade totaling $550 billion, increased two-way investment and people-to-people exchanges highlighted by the large number of Chinese students studying in the US and the growing number of US students in China.

"I believe the two countries' common interests have increased on global and regional issues, in particular bilateral issues, and our common interests far exceed our differences," he said.

Dismissing the notion that China was flexing its muscles by staging last Thursday's military parade in Beijing, Cui said the nation has been a staunch force in ensuring world peace.

"So, the more powerful China is, the greater its contribution to world peace," he said.

He said this was the message from the parade, adding, "It was not to show muscle or intimidate anyone."

However, the US does not need to demonstrate with a military parade - it has been using its weapons every day, according to the ambassador.

China has not been involved in a war with another country for the past four decades, apart from a brief border conflict with Vietnam in 1979.

Contact the writers at chenweihua@chinadaily-usa.com and dongleshuo@chinadailyusa.com