Former Chinese ambassador to Washington Cui Tiankai stated on Saturday that the United States should not blame China’s rise for its own domestic problems. Speaking at a forum in Shenzhen, Cui argued that the US should not expect to solve these issues simply by changing presidents.
Cui, who served as ambassador from 2013 to 2021, told the forum co-hosted by the Shenzhen Loop Area Institute and the University of Hong Kong’s Centre on Contemporary China and the World that China’s development has never aimed to replace or challenge the US. He stated, “China’s development has never aimed to replace or challenge the US – it never has. Naturally, I also hope the US can resolve its own issues and that its future development will not come at the expense of China’s interests.”
Using a metaphor regarding cutlery, Cui told the forum, “Chinese use chopsticks, whereas Americans use a knife and fork. It’s impossible for China to take away American jobs or interests.” He further asserted that China’s growth has made the world economy's cake bigger, and that the US "immediately sliced the biggest piece with its sharp knife," which he called the reality.
Cui argued that addressing American problems requires examining broader structural shifts in economy, politics, society, culture, and demographics, along with long-term contradictions. He warned against reducing these issues to specific individuals, stating, “We must never reduce what is happening in the US to specific individuals, nor should we assume that electing someone new in a couple of years will turn back the clock – there is no going back, history only moves forward.”
His remarks came days after the Republican Party suffered key setbacks in the US midterm elections, blunting Trump’s legislative leverage and fuelling speculation of a lame-duck presidency. Cui suggested his American friends read China’s policy documents, specifically the documents from the fifth plenum of the 20th Central Committee held two weeks ago. He noted that during that meeting, leadership endorsed a document on party discipline to “turn the blade inward” to combat corruption, which President Xi Jinping identified as the “greatest threat” to the party.
Regarding US-China relations, Cui noted that competition is inevitable but urged both nations to seek cooperation. He asserted that bilateral ties are not a “zero-sum game,” though he acknowledged that progress has been difficult. Cui recalled that when he worked in the US, he spoke to different presidents and the State Department about “respect,” noting they had difficulty accepting it at first.
Cui highlighted that following Donald Trump’s state visit to Beijing in May and Xi Jinping’s reciprocal visit in September, both sides agreed to establish a “constructive relationship of strategic stability” based on “respect, fairness and reciprocity.” He claimed that respect in official US statements was earned through China’s growing strength rather than being a concession. “Without the strength, who would give you respect?” he asked.
However, Cui urged objectivity, stating, “We have to be objective, we cannot come to a simple conclusion that the US is going downhill.” He noted that the US remains in the lead in science and academia, including artificial intelligence (AI), algorithms, and chips. He concluded by urging China to remain confident, but insisted this confidence must be rooted in openness.
