STORY: American diplomatic veterans advocate for revitalized U.S.-China relations
DATELINE: Sept. 15, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:51
LOCATION: NEW YORK, the United States
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ROBERT HORMATS, Former U.S. undersecretary of state
2. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): DANIEL RUSSEL, Vice president for international security and diplomacy at ASPI
3. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): STEPHEN A. ORLINS, President of NCUSCR
4. various of the event

STORYLINE:

Renowned American diplomatic veterans have made a united call for revitalized U.S.-China relations at a reception celebrating the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Speaking at the event held Wednesday evening, 80-year-old Robert Hormats, former undersecretary of state of the Obama administration, lamented the current status.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ROBERT HORMATS, Former U.S. undersecretary of state
"Unfortunately, this is not one of those good times. This is a very difficult time and it's a very sad time for all of us who believe in the relationships, who have great friends in China. But it is not a moment where we can simply give up and simply do nothing."

He highlighted the necessity of dialogues based on "candor" over "anger" in dealing with "very difficult issues" between the two countries.

"We can't underestimate the seriousness of them (difficult issues). But on the other hand, we also can't underestimate the importance of dealing with them and dealing with and as I said, a very candid way," he said.

"There's a difference in a discussion based on candor, and a discussion based on anger... I think the tone that we sometimes hear, which is sort of an angry tone when you see this in the press, amongst some politicians, is not the kind of thing that's going to get us anywhere," said Hormats.

Daniel Russel, vice president for international security and diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), echoed this sentiment of hope.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): DANIEL RUSSEL, Vice president for international security and diplomacy at ASPI
"I can say with great confidence that the policy of the United States is to engage constructively with China wherever possible, because working together to solve great challenges is what the world expects from great powers, and because it's directly in America's own interest to do that. The world is too small for China and the United States to be enemies. The world is too small for China and the United States to fail to work together to cooperate."

Stephen A. Orlins, president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR), delivered his remarks first in Chinese, then in English. His bilingual delivery was met with appreciative nods from an audience representing a myriad of backgrounds.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): STEPHEN A. ORLINS, President of NCUSCR
"In times of difficulty, look at our achievements, look at the bright side and boost up our courage. So let us continue to work together to improve U.S.-China relations."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from New York, the United States.
(XHTV)