On 14 June 2019, Berlingske, one of the top three dailies in Denmark published an article from Ambassador Feng Tie, whereby he elaborated on China's stance on the ongoing China-US trade friction. The following is the full text of the article:
I arrived in Copenhagen on the last Friday of May as the Chinese Ambassador to the beautiful Kingdom of Denmark. On my first work day of the following week, I had the great honour to present my Credentials to HM the Queen. I am here at a time when China-Denmark relations are blessed with new opportunities: the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has entered a new decade and the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic ties is coming next year. I am well aware of my responsibilities.
Denmark was among the first European countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China. With a solid foundation, our relationship enjoys great momentum and the friendship between the two peoples keeps growing. It is in the common interests of both sides to further our bilateral ties. I am ready to work with my Danish colleagues and friends to promote mutual trust and enhance exchanges and cooperation for new progress in our relationship. Denmark will have a new government, and I believe China-Denmark relations will continue to develop.
My new friends here told me that free trade is in the Danish DNA. As they are concerned about the economic and trade friction between China and the United States, I would like to share China's position on this matter.
In the past two years, the US administration has openly preached unilateralism, protectionism and America First. It is against this backdrop that the China-US economic and trade friction came to a head. The United States uses its trade deficit as a pretext to impose retaliatory tariffs on China. It claims that America has been taken advantage of by China, and its trade deficit has exceeded 500 billion US dollars. In fact, the total US trade deficit with China stood at 153.6 billion US dollars in 2018, which is only 37% of the claimed figure. From 2009 to 2018, the US exports to China helped to support over 1.1 million American jobs. The United States has gained a great deal from trade with China and the China-US trade is beneficial to both sides. It is groundless to say that America has been taken advantage of. China holds the view that the US trade deficit is the result of a number of market factors playing together, including competitiveness, economic structure, international division of labor, trade policies and status of the US dollar as a major global currency. However, the United States has provoked the economic and trade friction with China and attempted to coerce China into accepting its demands. This is typical trade bullying. What the United States has done has indeed damaged the interests of both countries and rest of the world.
Since they were launched in February 2018, the economic and trade consultations have come a long way with the two sides agreeing on most issues. Yet the consultations suffered several setbacks all because of US breach of consensus, commitments and good faith. The United States, while keeping changing its own demands, accuses China of backtracking. This is totally unfair and only shows that the United States does not take China as an equal in the negotiations.
China believes that the economic and trade differences and friction should be addressed through dialogue and consultation. However, such consultation should be based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit . Talks will get nowhere if one side tries to coerce the other with no respect for its sovereignty and core interests or only seek selfish benefits. To reach a trade deal, the United States should remove all additional tariffs imposed on Chinese exports and be realistic in its demands for China's purchase of US goods. Only with a properly balanced text can the agreement serve the interests of both sides. It is hoped that the United States could give up its wrong approach, bear in mind the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits, and join China in trying to foster sound and stable bilateral economic and trade relations.
China does not want a trade war, but is not afraid of one and will fight if it has to. In the 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 40 years of reform and opening up, we have made great achievements. China is now the second largest economy in the world . Over 700 million people have been lifted out of poverty in the last four decades. China accounts for more than 30 per cent of the global economic growth. China's economic cooperation with other countries played an indispensable role, but more importantly, China's impressive advancement is attributed to Chinese people's own hard work. Over the years, we have blazed a development path that suits China. We have no intention to export our development model, but we do cherish the correct historical choice made by the Chinese people. We will never give in if any country attempts to force China off its development path. China has the right to develop and the Chinese people have the right to a better life.
Founded in 1749, Berlingske is one of the most history-rooted newspaper in Denmark. It boasts a daily circulation volume of 100,000 copies.