Ahead of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the China-US joint communiqué — an important diplomatic document issued by China and the United States on Feb 28, 1972 in the normalization of their relations — Cui Tiankai, former Chinese ambassador to the US, sat down with China Daily reporter Ian Goodrum, also a member of China Daily's Edgar Snow Newsroom.

This is the first interview Cui has given since leaving his post and returning to China. As the longest-serving Chinese ambassador to the US, a role he held from April 2013 to June 2021, Cui, 70, is a key figure in China-US relations.

Why does the US frequently sensationalize their coverage of Xinjiang, Taiwan and the South China Sea? Is it possible to get the China-US relationship back on track, and if so, how?

Watch this video to see what Cui has to say about these topics, and many others.

Here are the excerpts: Veteran diplomat: Steady ties essential