Dinner Celebrating 30 Years of China-US Diplomatic Ties Held in Great Hall of th

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, the CPAFFC, the China-US People’s Friendship Association and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs jointly held a dinner on the evening of January 12, 2009 to mark the event. Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and former US President Jimmy Carter who came specially to take part in the celebrations attended the dinner and spoke on the occasion.

In his speech, Vice President Xi Jinping, on behalf of the Chinese Government, paid high tribute to the personages of various circles of China and the United States who have made long-standing contribution to advancing Sino-US relations. He said: “In the 1970s, acting in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and people around the world, leaders of our two countries rose above the differences in ideology and social system and broke the ice of estrangement that had existed for years between China and the United States with strategic far-sight and extraordinary political wisdom. Due to the unremitting efforts, diplomatic relations were finally established on 1 January 1979, normalizing China-US Relations and opening a new Chapter in the history of our relations.” He pointed out, in the past 30 years, “despite some twists and turns, thanks to the personal commitment of generations of leaders in both countries and the joint efforts of people on both sides, the constructive cooperation between our two countries has yielded fruitful results, with a deep impact on both countries and positive implications on the whole world. China and the United States, once locked in mutual antagonism and estrangement, are now stakeholders and constructive partners. The China-US relationship has grown more mature and stable. The understanding between our people has increased and mutual trust deepened.” He called on both China and the United States to “view and handle the bilateral relationship from a broader global perspective and with a way of thinking that keeps abreast of the times”. (Full text of the speech on p.4)

Former US President Carter happily recalled in his speech the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China and Deng Xiaoping’s visit to the U.S. 30 years ago when he was in office. He said, over the last 30 years, remarkable progress has been made in the US-China relations. The two countries have reaped fruitful results in exchanges and cooperation in various fields. The relationship between the United States and China is the most important diplomatic relationship in the world today. In the meantime, China has made tremendous achievements in reform and opening up and plays an important role in the world. History has shown that normalization brought greater security and prosperity to more people, not only to the U.S. and Chinese peoples, but also to the rest of the world.The United States and China must respect each other, overcome their differences, increase mutual trust and enhance cooperation.

Carter stressed, there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China. The recent improvement in the cross-strait relations is heartening.

Carter said, the United States would soon have a new President. The two countries must maintain the mutual respect and the founding principles of “understanding, patience and persistence” that began 30 years ago to cope with global challenges and hotspot issues such as climate change, diseases, terrorism, nuclear proliferation and the international financial crisis. It is of great importance for the two countries and for the whole world that the United States and China strengthen their cooperation.

A warm atmosphere permeated the brightly-lit dinner hall where over 500 people of various circles of China and the United States gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Among them were Tung Chee Hwa, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Cheng Siwei, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC); Xu Kuangdi, former vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and president of the China-US People’s Friendship Association; Li Zhaoxing, chairman of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee; Chen Haosu and Li Xiaolin, president and vice president of the CPAFFC; Rosalynn Carter, wife of former US President Carter; Clark Randt, US ambassador to China; as well as former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former US National Security Advisers Zbigniew Brzezinski and Brent Scowcroft and other Chinese and American distinguished guests who had made important contribution to the establishment of diplomatic relations 30 years ago.

The formal establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States on January 1, 1979, a landmark event, opened a new chapter in the annals of relations between the two countries, and produced a profound and far-reaching impact on the international situation and world pattern. In the past three decades, with the joint efforts made by generations of leaders and insightful people of both countries, historic progress has been achieved in bilateral relations. The two sides have carried out fruitful exchanges and cooperation in a wide range of fields, and the understanding and friendship between the two peoples have increased continuously. The strategic significance and global influence of China-US relations have become more prominent. Facts have proved that the establishment and development of normal state relations between China and the United States conform to the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the trend of the times, which has not only brought great benefit to both peoples, but also contributed significantly to peace, stability and development in Asia and the world at large.