Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng speaks at the awards ceremony for the fifth "My China Album" at the Chinese embassy in Washington DC on Thursday. CHINA DAILY

Xie noted that such stories have shown once and again that the two peoples can forge a profound friendship despite all the differences in system, culture and language.

He said that it is important to develop a right perception toward each other, and be friends rather than rivals.

"Seeing the other as a primary strategic competitor, the most consequential geopolitical challenge and a pacing threat, in disregard of our peoples' will for exchanges and cooperation and the world's expectation for a stable China-US relationship, would only push our two countries toward antagonism, plunge the world into division and turmoil, and ultimately lead to ‘self-fulfilling prophesies,'" he said.

The envoy also said it is important to stay undistracted by domestic politics and avoid creating new hurdles for China-US relations.

He said that while China will not interfere in US domestic affairs, including its presidential election, it also firmly opposes any attempt to manipulate China-related issues, exploit China-US relations, and damage China's interests during the election.

In his first comment on Washington's latest round of tariffs imposed on electric vehicles and other Chinese imports two days ago, Xie said the move was driven by domestic politics.

"This is protectionism in the name of fair competition. The real aim is to contain China's new energy sectors, hamper China's high-quality development, and get advantage in the elections by competing to be tougher on China," he said.