Countries obliged to create space for peace: China Daily editorial

It was not another conversation in the ongoing flurry of video diplomacy against the backdrop of rising global challenges. It was an attempt to find a way to stabilize the volatile situation in Ukraine and address other pressing global issues.

No wonder the conversation between President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden, via video link, on Friday — the first since November — drew widespread international attention. Indeed, the international community saw the talks as an opportunity for the two sides to not only address this urgent issue but also improve Sino-US relations.

That the talks between the two presidents were proposed by the US side suggests the US has realized that, without the cooperation of China, it cannot close the Pandora's box it has opened in Ukraine to fulfill its narrow goals.

But China will never allow the US to take advantage of the Ukraine crisis to smear, threaten or coerce it to do the US' bidding or succumb to US hegemony.

Beijing agreeing to the US' proposal shows China, as a major country, is fully aware of its responsibilities of promoting global peace and stability. But China will respond in kind if the US administration takes measures that threaten the rights and interests of China or its enterprises and individuals.

Xi used Friday's talks to urge the US side to persuade Ukraine and Russia to end the conflict through peaceful talks, stressing that all stakeholders should display political courage and create space for peace.

Although the two leaders agreed in November to improve bilateral ties, the US side has done far less than necessary to follow through on Biden's pledge that the US is not seeking a new Cold War, not seeking to change China's political system, not seeking to target the revitalization of its alliances against China, not supporting "Taiwan independence", and has no intention to engage in a conflict with China.

If the US really wants to work with China for the betterment of the world, the administration should abide by the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation which Xi has been reiterating since their first conversation as heads of state in February 2021.

As for the Ukraine crisis, the international community should try to defuse the situation, facilitate peace talks and restore peace.

The US on its part should stand on the right side of history and stop adding fuel to the fire and fanning the flames of confrontation.