The so-called circle is to treat the neighboring countries of China as a whole region, that is, to consider them as a whole relationship. From this perspective, we first focus on solving the existing problems. We regard solving the problem of territorial demarcation with neighboring countries as the primary problem to improve neighboring relations. For example, the border demarcation between China and Russia should be resolved in good faith and sincerity for the benefit of strategic partners. And Vietnam, we first solved the demarcation of the Beibu Gulf with an attitude of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation, and basically solved the land problem. The demarcation of the border with India has also established guiding principles, and it should be said that it also has the conditions for settlement. It can be said that the border dispute that has plagued us for a long time has slowed down.
In the South China Sea, we established principles. In 2003, China and ASEAN issued the Declaration on Conduct in the South China Sea. First, we should prevent things from getting worse, avoid conflicts and negotiate something. On this basis, we can stabilize the disputes in the South China Sea by improving the overall relations with Southeast Asian countries. This year, China, the Philippines and Vietnam signed an agreement to jointly develop resources in the South China Sea, which is in line with our proposition of "shelving disputes and jointly developing".
The so-called film is to regard the surrounding areas of China as several different sub-regional films. From this perspective, great changes have taken place. The most obvious change is regional cooperation. Regional cooperation is the trend of the world today, and all countries are actively participating in various ways. We have participated in and promoted the cooperation of films in various regions. In East Asian cooperation, we have made a separated East Asia move towards cooperation through active participation and play a role, and achieved great results, and to a certain extent, we have mastered the initiative. By promoting the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, we have established regional cooperative relations with Central Asia and Russia. By participating in APEC, we have established a regional cooperative relationship with the United States. We are still trying to find ways to participate in South Asian cooperation. Through regional cooperation, we connect neighboring countries piece by piece, which will further stabilize neighboring relations.
The so-called line is to look at the relationship line of the United States. The United States has always been in a key position in our external environment. We have Pacific ties with the United States, and the United States should also be our important neighbor. The United States has used its advantages to establish three lines centered on it: first, military alliance, second, ally and third, quasi-ally. In order to maintain its dominant position, the United States also tried to contain China. We have no ability to cut these lines, but we also develop our own relationship lines, including with the United States, to minimize the unfavorable environmental conditions for me. Generally speaking, it is not easy for our relationship with the United States to become controllable, operable and negotiable.
Combining the above three perspectives of observation and self-identification, it should be said that the favorable factors of China's peripheral relations are dominant, and the key is that we have mastered greater initiative and the ability to create the environment, which is a great change since the founding of New China.
The conflict between China and the United States is manifested in three aspects: one is strategy, the other is economic interests, and the third is the influence on neighboring countries. The United States should ensure its leading position in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, which was established after the Second World War and strengthened after the Cold War, and it will try its best to ensure this position for a long time to come. The strategy of the United States is to protect its global interests, not just against China, which is different from the strategy against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It is out of this consideration that China is only regarded as a potential rival, such as various actions on the issue of arms sales to China. Judging from the current situation, we will not have a major strategic confrontation with the United States in the near future.
With the strengthening of China's strength and the expansion of its influence, China's weight in international affairs has increased. Without China's cooperation, it is difficult for the United States to maintain order and structure in a region, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. The pattern of common interests in many aspects makes no one easily take the initiative to destroy the current situation. This is a stabilizer.
Economic disputes, especially trade disputes, are largely normal phenomena, reflecting the differences in economic and trade structure, but also mixed with political factors, such as the RMB exchange rate issue. However, it is still controllable. As for China's role in the region, especially the development of cooperation between East Asia and Central Asia, it has touched the nerves of the United States. However, these cooperations are not anti-American, and we are not pulling anti-American groups. As long as we find a mechanism for dialogue with the United States, we can ease it. It is a fact that China's influence is increasing, and the United States must also accept it.
China and Japan are close neighbors, which cannot be changed. There are contradictions and common interests. There are many factors that cause problems between China and Japan at present. There are problems of historical understanding and conflicts of interest in reality. Why do these problems pop up at once? From the Japanese side, the recognition of China's development is a problem. The momentum of China's development is too strong to be accepted by Japanese. Japan is worried about China's influence and role. Japan believes that its high-growth period has passed, facing the problem of aging population, and fears that the powerful China will retaliate against its previous humiliation. Therefore, the Japanese tried their best to win over the United States to cope with the rise of China, which made China people very angry.
Historical issues are inevitable and an important factor in Sino-Japanese relations, which will appear from time to time if not handled well. Now, historical issues are actually a reflection of political relations. For China people, resistance to Japan cannot be generalized. The people of China are not anti-Japanese, but are indignant and disgusted with what the Japanese government has done. However, we should also see that China and Japan have strong interdependence. The economic relations between the two countries have developed rapidly, with a trade volume of about 200 billion US dollars and a large investment scale. They have great interests, and no one can live without anyone. A stable and cooperative Sino-Japanese relationship is in the interests of both countries, which is the overall situation.
Although there are great differences in politics, culture and national cognition between the two countries, it is impossible to approach them. However, for the overall benefit, the relationship between the two countries should not deteriorate too much, and there are many places that need cooperation. Of course, it takes two hands to applaud, and we can't do it as long as we have the will. We need the Japanese government to have a clear orientation and specific implementation measures for Sino-Japanese relations. It should be said that the conditions for improving relations are still accumulating. We can neither be too pessimistic about Sino-Japanese relations, nor hope for miracles.