US, China need to control differences

"Seeking common ground while putting aside differences", a famous quote of former Chinese premier Zhou Enlai is the long-time guiding principle of China's diplomacy. It helped China resume diplomatic relations with the United States despite the Cold War.

The development of Sino-US relations over the past three decades has proved the importance of common ground. The relationship grows when the two share more in common, while disputes rise due to lack of shared interests. That's why the top leaders from both sides have repeatedly in their speeches emphasized enlarging common interests.

From the 1980s to the early 21st century, China and the US have also chosen to lay aside some of their differences, such as on Taiwan, to prevent them from undermining bilateral ties.