Weather the storm calmly

(file photo)

The U.S.’ unilateralist and self-contradictory approaches have resulted in the constant escalation of China-U.S. trade friction. China has to fight back in self-defense despite it doesn’t want to fight. In the crucial juncture of such a battle of wits and courage, the Chinese public’s confidence and resolve are of critical significance.

At present, the majority of Chinese people support the government’s countermeasures in response to U.S. bullying and have confidence in the country’s future. But there are still some obscure noises reflecting worries about self interests. What we have to do right now is to banish the blind faith in power and consolidate the will to win.

Long-term blind faith in U.S. image makes some people underestimate China’s development in recent years and the increasingly small overall gap between China and the U.S., ignore the increasingly outstanding superiority of China’ s system and path. Against the macro background of China-U.S. trade friction, such conventional thinking is obviously not helpful, but harmful.

The U.S. is not capable of doing everything though it still stands first in terms of comprehensive national strength. The U.S. was more advanced than the rest of the world for a long time, but the undeniable fact is it has lagged way behind China when it comes to development potential. The U.S. system used to be advanced. But not anymore with the major defect that it can’t keep pace with the times and reality.

With cool-headed consciousness of our own conditions, we can seek steady improvement through continuous efforts. Since 2011, China has surpassed the U.S. to be the largest manufacturer globally; since 2013, China has become the largest trader in the world; over the past 20 years, the proportion of China’s trade with the U.S. has dropped from 40 percent to 15 percent in its overall foreign trade. Nowadays, we have the capacity to compete against the U.S.

More importantly, the global environment is turning in a direction that benefits China. At present, the American society is divided and its national image is worsening with increasingly weaker international influence. While China is seen as the model of most developing countries, which makes emerging economies tend to cooperate with China.

In fact, facing the trade war imposed by the U.S., Chinese people’s eagerness for national rejuvenation is getting stronger. In the face of the wind and waves, we have the capacity to calmly respond and confidently move forward to the goal of national rejuvenation.

Contributed by Wang Wen for Guangming Daily

Translated by Zhang Zhou