Chinese ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai.  (Photo: Zhang Niansheng and Gao Shi)

Washington (People's Daily) - The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the US held a reception on Monday celebrating the 91st anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), where Chinese ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai urged for cooperation between the US and China.

“What the interests of our two peoples have put on us is the historical responsibility to get the China-US relationship right, not the liberty for anyone to make it fail,” Cui said.

Cui said it is natural for China and the US to compete in some areas, but that competition should be “healthy and positive, aiming to improve ourselves – not replace the other side.”

Cui noted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up and one year before China and the US celebrate the 40th anniversary of establishing of diplomatic relations.

Cui said right now is important time to understand China’s strategic goal for developing itself, rather than a time to challenge others.

“China has no intention to challenge the international standing and interests of any other country or the existing international order and system,” Cui said.

Cui highlighted the burgeoning military ties between the two countries – mentioning that PLA General Han Weiguo recently visited the US and that US Defense Secretary James Mattis visited China earlier this year.

Cui said China’s defense minister and commander of the PLA navy will also visit the US later this year, with hopes to make the military-to-military relationship a stabilizer in bilateral relations.

Cui said China would like to work with the US to focus on cooperation, manage differences, and successfully stage the second session of the four high-level dialogue mechanisms, so that China-US relations will move forward along the right track.