Greg Cusack, former representative of the US State of Iowa, said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency that the meeting between the US and Chinese presidents in San Francisco sent a positive signal, showing the sincere desire of the two sides to enhance friendship and cooperation, which is an "urgent need" to push forward the development of bilateral relations.
Cusack served as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from 1973 to 1981.
Whether the United States can open up a new vision for the future of U.S.-China relations will largely depend on whether the United States is willing to take responsibility.
He said people-to-people exchanges are an effective way to overcome prejudices, get to know each other and build trust.
"Having more Americans go to China, experience Chinese villages and Chinese cities, see China's great universities and friendly people," Mr. Cusack said, would help the two countries find more in common.
Cusack noted that the US has a long tradition of blaming others for its own problems, which has contributed to the decline in US-China relations in recent years, with China being the US "scapegoat for screwing things up".
"We (the United States) shift our anger and attacks on others without looking at ourselves."
Cusack said the United States needs to have an objective view of the situation on the ground. "Look around the world, does the United States or does China have (military) bases around the world? And which country's warships often appear near the waters of other countries?"
On the contrary, China has always been a peace-loving country with a peace-loving people and a traditional culture that emphasizes wisdom, tolerance and inclusiveness.
On the Taiwan issue, the most important and sensitive issue in Sino-US relations, Cusack believes that the best contribution the United States can make is to reduce military support to Taiwan and "earnestly abide by the One-China policy."
Cusack also looked forward to more active and practical cooperation between the United States and China on the issue of global warming.
He said the United States and China could lead the way in curbing carbon emissions. As a developed country, the United States should take the lead in reducing emissions.
