Leaders need to have shared vision of China-US relations

Foreign Minister Wang Yi's speech in Beijing on Wednesday has provided a clear vision of China-US relations ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the US next week. It is a vision of how the world's two largest economies can work together to build a better future not just for the two nations, but also the whole world.

Wang's speech addressed the skepticism many people have about a fast rising China. He did not avoid thorny issues such as the tension over maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea and cybersecurity. But China will respect international laws, push for peaceful settlement of the disputes and fight cyber crimes together, he said.

More importantly, Wang pointed to the huge potential for China and the US to work together in areas such as bilateral trade, investment and student exchange, as well as serious global issues like the Iran nuclear agreement and fighting terrorism.