Building a New Model of Major-Country Relationship – An Interview with Orville Schell

Reporter: Deng Xiaoping once suggested that the way to deal with the Diaoyu Islands issue was: if we can’t solve it now, leave it to succeeding generations. What do you think of his viewpoint?

Orville Schell: I think it’s sensible. It’s preferable that China and Japan settle the Diaoyu Islands issue through international law rather than war or conflict.

Since the First Opium War (1840-1842), it has taken China over a century to achieve its present development and national strength. It’s therefore advisable to cherish stability and make efforts to maintain the situation.

Reporter: How do you see the future of China-U.S. relations?

Orville Schell: China-U.S. relations have reached a new crossroad. Despite accompanying contradictions and problems, the two countries can choose to cooperate and gain more benefits rather than dwell on divergences.

A recommendable way would be to learn from Deng Xiaoping and Jimmy Carter – to make contradictions and divergences give way to mutual development. When Deng met with Carter in Atlanta I could see that, despite the two sides’ huge divergences, they formed close relations, because their focus was on bigger mutual interests rather that the two countries’ respective interests. Since then, the bilateral relationship has made huge progress.

State leaders of the two countries have played key roles. In addition, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and then Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan also figured prominently in bilateral relations. Besides heads of state, high-ranking officials also need to make frequent exchanges to promote bilateral relations, as otherwise the China-U.S. relationship will never truly flesh out.

Reporter: You have mentioned bigger common interests several times. What does this refer to?

Orville Schell: The most important issue is global climate change. If we can’t join hands to solve that, all other issues are pointless. In the globalization era, there are numerous issues that cross boundaries and demand joint efforts worldwide, for example, fighting against the Ebola virus. Personally I think China and the U.S. are the only two great powers capable of solving global problems through working together.