On Nov. 6, 2025, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published an article by Consul General Chen Li: “The world is better off when China and America work together”. The full text is as follows:

Having worked in the United States for a year as the Chinese consul general in New York City, I’ve traveled across my consular district and witnessed the close exchanges and fruitful cooperation between our two nations, with Pittsburgh being one of the leading cities in this partnership.

Eighty years ago, our two countries stood side by side in a just cause, resisting fascism, upholding justice and safeguarding world peace. Over 50 years ago, a historic handshake and a game of ping-pong broke the ice of estrangement and rekindled friendship between China and the United States.

Constructive dialogue

Over the past 46 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, our two countries have become true partners for mutual benefit. Over 70,000 American companies are investing and operating in China, with two-way investment exceeding 260 billion dollars and bilateral trade surpassing 680 billion dollars.

Facing new challenges, China and the United States must engage in dialogue and cooperation to build a better future. No city understands the value of connection better than Pittsburgh as the “City of Bridges.” Building bridges is not only the most effective way to overcome divides, but also a profound expression of humanity’s wisdom to seek understanding and perseverance in the face of hardship.

In today’s world, the need to “build bridges” and strengthen cooperation is more urgent than ever. As the two largest economies, China and the United States are indispensable to global stability, growth and governance. Getting the relationship right is not optional, but something we must do and must do well.

President Nixon once said that the joint efforts of the United States and China changed the world. Few words have proven more accurate.

Tête-à-tête

Viewing the present through the lens of history and from a global perspective, one sees the future course of China-U.S. relations clearly. In this process, head-of-state diplomacy provides irreplaceable strategic guidance.

Last week, President Xi met with President Trump in Busan, where they reached important common understanding and opened new opportunities for cooperation. President Xi emphasized that the two sides should think big and recognize the long-term benefit of cooperation, and must not fall into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation.

China and the United States can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world.

Cooperation over confrontation

The greatest challenge for our two countries has never been each other. Defining China–U.S. relations through the lens of “competition” or even “confrontation” only magnifies differences and narrows the space for dialogue and cooperation.

For over 70 years, China has remained focused on its own development while sharing opportunities with the world, never seeking to challenge or replace anyone. The recently adopted recommendations for China’s next five-year plan for national economic and social development will further advance comprehensive reform and wider opening-up, creating even broader opportunities for China–U.S. cooperation.

China and the United States are fully able to help each other succeed and prosper together. If we can embrace the spirit of building bridges, by fostering dialogue and understanding, and overcoming barriers and misperceptions, China-U.S. cooperation will bring more benefits to the peoples of both countries and greater well-being to the rest of the world.