Political confrontation in the US will evolve in an extreme way and in the future there will only be more such increasingly severe struggles.
On the Korean Peninsula there are currently no more nuclear tests, missile tests or extreme threats between Washington and Pyongyang. That was unimaginable when Trump assumed office in 2017. Washington should cherish this hard-won achievement, follow it up, be determined to prevent retrogression and promote better results.
No external interference can change China's policy of deepening opening-up. Since Chinese enterprises can compete with powerhouses in the international market, they will also be capable of competing with foreign companies in the Chinese market. This is why China is confident in further expanding opening-up.
The world needs more certainties in 2019 and so does the US.
A good China-US trade agreement that can stand the test of time must be fair and realistic.
Apple's stock tumbled 9.96 percent on Thursday, leading to a plunge in the US stock market and a 660-point dive by the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Blaming poor sales in China, which account for 20 percent of Apple's revenue, the company has cut its revenue forecast for the first quarter of 2019 from between $89 billion and $93 billion, to $84 billion.
In the face of strategic US pressure, peaceful development does not mean grin and bear it. Confronting malicious provocation, China must resolutely clarify our attitude, not being afraid to pay some prices, in order to set up rules that all external forces must respect China's core interests.
Taiwan will be keeping up with the tide of history when “Taiwan independence” is abandoned by Taiwan's mainstream politics. That day will come very soon.
In the face of sudden escalation of China-US trade conflict throughout 2018, Beijing chose neither a concession nor a confrontation. The country has continued advancing and establishing its position as the world's second largest economy, maximizing its vitality and cooperation. Undoubtedly, that is China's lifeline to keep steady progress in an increasingly restless world.
The phone conversation between President Xi and President Trump, including the tone of Trump's subsequent tweet, fits the logic in terms of the general direction for developing Sino-US relations. And this talk will definitely play a positive role in boosting confidence in Sino-US negotiations. It is sincerely hoped that the power of logic is stronger than that of uncertainty.
The year of 2018 marks the special commemoration and practice of China's reform and opening-up. It is the 40th anniversary of the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, when the decision of carrying out reform and opening-up was made. It is also the fifth anniversary of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee. The 40th anniversary has been frequently discussed while the fifth anniversary also has its own great historical significance.
After this tough year, China has more adequate policy and mental preparations, no matter how 2019 turns out. China needs to be well-prepared for difficulties. No external force can bring China down and those who try will pay a hard price. This is the confidence that 2018 has brought China.
China should be confident in this: As long as China maintains steady peripheral diplomacy, the US can do nothing to China and Beijing will gain the initiative in diplomacy toward Washington.
The US is not familiar with its current political tension, and public opinion diverges on its economic prospects. China should be firm and steady in contact with the US. For China, being flexible as well as persistent will help rationalize China-US interests.
As long as the US doesn't provoke a real Cold War, China-US relations are destined to be highly complicated. There is a slim chance that Washington will be driven by a certain overwhelming goal in handling China affairs. We should expand instead of further shrink the space of sound China-US bilateral relations.
China's diplomatic wisdom will be tested after the Huawei case. China should neither overreact, nor be soft in counterattacking the most active countries of the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance. Canada will pay the price if it extradites Meng to the US and helps the US harm China.
China faces challenges, but they can be overcome with government officials playing a crucial role. Their enthusiasm to a large extent depends on how much encouragement they are offered. Therefore, strengthening incentive policies is as important as education and mobilization.
The US allegations against China are practically hysterical all by themselves. This latest round shows the US attack on China has become more comprehensive, which could see more of China's government agencies getting involved. Actually, it is inevitable. Therefore, instead of adhering to a low profile strategy, China must face these provocations from and do more to safeguard national interests.