Chinese ambassador to the US: China-US ties would not always follow a straight line

Chinese ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai has said in an interview exclusive with CGTN that he never had the illusion that a comprehensive and complex relationship between China and the US would always follow a straight line.

He said he always has confidence that, in the long run, the common interests of the two peoples will prevail.

Speaking of overseas students, the ambassador said it is very encouraging to see a growing number of students studying in the US and US students studying in China, though the number of American students in China is still significantly smaller than the number of Chinese students in the US. "But I think both numbers are growing," he added.

"These young people, they are the true ambassadors for friendship and understanding between our two peoples. They are the bridges between our two countries," said Cui.

"Unfortunately, recently we have heard accusations against them. Very absurd accusation that totally unfounded and extremely unfair to them," Cui pointed out.

"People making such accusations, I guess they must have their own youth, and when they were young, they also had their observation for life, and today they even have their own kids, so how can people have so dark and miserable mindset to the younger generation today. I really feel sorry for them," said Cui.