China, US should focus on cooperation while respecting differences, Kong says A veteran diplomat said that China has no intention of competing with other countries and seeking hegemony, and he called on the United States to view China's development objectively. Kong Quan, deputy head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said what China expects is a peaceful and stable external environment so that it can be better committed to its own development and at the same time bring development opportunities to other countries. China and the US should focus on cooperation to seek common development while respecting their differences, Kong said, noting that it is these differences that create the chances for cooperation. Kong previously served as a Foreign Ministry spokesman and China's ambassador to France.