Cui Tiankai speaks with CNN's Christiane Amanpour

China's Ambassador to the U.S., Cui Tiankai spoke with CNN's Christiane Amanpour on CNN International.

Cui said the fundamental goal of China's government is to enhance people's livelihoods not compete with other nations.

He also said Western countries unfairly discriminate against Chinese tech companies and detain Chinese executives. That was an apparent reference to Huawei's Meng Wanzhou.

He praised last week's U.S.-China meeting in Alaska calling it timely and helpful and a good start for future dialogue.