This morning, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that U.S. President Trump will visit China from the 13th to the 15th. In the afternoon, it released a bilingual Chinese-English short film themed “Peaceful Coexistence.” The film claims, "China and the U.S. cannot change each other, but they can change the way they get along," and that "the earth is only so big and cannot accommodate China-U.S. turmoil and confrontation," clearly sending a message to the U.S.
Produced by the Information Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the film first poses and answers its own question, declaring that how China and the U.S.—"the two most influential countries and the world’s two largest economies"—interact not only affects all parties involved, but also impacts the globe. Is it about conflict and confrontation, mutual attrition, or treating each other with sincerity and trust? The answer, the film asserts, has long been self-evident—peaceful coexistence.
The film also recalls the story of the American "Flying Tigers," early 1970s "ping-pong diplomacy," as well as their joint efforts claimed to be “fighting terrorism together and responding to the financial crisis,” and declares, "When China and the U.S. join forces, it’s positive energy for the world." Citing the scale of bilateral trade and the 80,000 American companies investing in China, it says, “Mutual achievement and shared prosperity between China and the U.S. are tangible and visible realities.”
The film states that both the Chinese and American people long for tranquility and the pursuit of happiness, and their joys and sorrows are no different. "China and the U.S. cannot change each other, but they can change the way they get along," which is to "uphold mutual respect, maintain the baseline of peaceful coexistence, and strive for the prospect of win-win cooperation."
Finally, the film declares, "The earth is only so big and cannot accommodate China-U.S. turmoil and confrontation; but the Pacific is broad enough for both China and the U.S. to thrive." China and the United States "will continue to coexist peacefully on this planet for a long time to come. An open and active China is here, hoping the United States will move forward hand in hand.”