Former Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai: ‘Blindly Worshiping the U.S. is Neither Scientific Nor Objective’

Cui Tiankai, the longest-serving Chinese ambassador to the U.S., has urged China’s youth to objectively understand America’s rise and fall.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Cui gave a commencement speech at Shanghai Tech University on the 7th. During the speech, he emphasized the rise and fall of superpowers. He particularly mentioned how the complex geopolitics between the U.S. and China should not be overly simplified. Cui served as the Chinese ambassador to the U.S. from 2013 to 2021.

He stated, “Blindly worshiping the U.S. is neither scientific nor objective. Conversely, believing that the U.S. will inevitably fail is also an unrealistic dichotomous view.” He acknowledged that the U.S. has many problems but also recognized its strengths such as military, finance, and science.

He added, “Our understanding of the U.S. should not be overly simplified, absolute, and even optimistic. It should be comprehensive, multidimensional, evolving, and dialectical.” He warned, “We should be cautious that misjudging others’ weaknesses can often lead us astray.”

The SCMP reported that Cui’s remarks call for an objective assessment of China’s geopolitical challenges and strengths. He also criticized the narrative of “the East rising and the West declining,” gaining popularity.

Cui stated, “I believe that the current international current is on our side and so as the morality and justice. However, this does not mean that we will easily succeed.” He added, “China’s development is always about bettering ourselves, not trampling on others. However, we must consistently overcome the obstacles others have put in our way.”