Swap fear for focus, envoy advises US

Shared interests must once again prevail instead of 'China phobia', reporters told

Fear has been winning out over rationality in the United States' approach to China, according to China's top envoy in Washington. And Qin Gang believes it's time for US policymakers to bring a focus on common interests and responsibilities back to the center of the relationship.

The ambassador, a year into his post, made the points on Tuesday when fielding questions from reporters on a bilateral relationship that has been suffering as a result of a policy mindset in which threats loom large.

"My country is being greatly misperceived and miscalculated as a challenge or even a threat to the United States," he said in response to a question from a Politico reporter who referred to the increasing political rhetoric on the notion of a "China threat" and how such talk could influence congressional midterm elections in November.