Thirty Years of China-US Diplomatic Relations

Three decades ago, China and the United States established diplomatic relations on January 1, 1979. A new era in China-US relations thus began. Tremendous changes have taken place in the world since then, amidst which China-US relationship took a remarkable and breathtaking journey to what it is right now.

After three decades and enormous progress, we have a different relationship from the old days, becoming one of the most important and dynamic bilateral relationships in the world.

Back then, our presidents hardly saw each other once in a few years. Now, they may meet several times a year and talk over the phone and exchange letters frequently.

Back then, our two countries were not engaged in regular dialogues on strategic issues. Now, there are over 60 dialogue, consultation and cooperation mechanisms between us, the most prominent being the Strategic Economic Dialogue and the Strategic Dialogue which set important stages for intensified discussion and cooperation on strategic issues involving our shared interests.

Back then, our trade was a mere 2.4 billion US dollars. Now, our two countries are each other's second largest trading partner, with total bilateral trade growing over 120 times and standing at over 300 billion US dollars in 2007. Made in China products can be found at shopping malls across the United States. US investment in China has grown from almost nothing to more than 56,000 projects, with 59 billion US dollars in actual investment. McDonalds and KFC shops can be found at many street corners in China. At the same time, China has also set up more than 1,200 companies in the United States. Haier, Lenovo and other Chinese brands are enjoying growing popularity.

Back then, not many Chinese movie-goers had ever watched US movies. Today, Hollywood and Disney movies, such as Titanic and Kung Fu Panda, have been a hit in China. Cultural cooperation is expanding in each other's country. NBA star Yao Ming and US swimmer Michael Phelps have become household names in both China and the United States. People-to-people exchanges are flourishing. Over 5,000 people travel across the Pacific every day. People of the two countries know more about each other's history, culture, social and economic development and unique national conditions. Congressional exchanges between the two countries have also grown steadily.

Back then, there were hardly any Chinese students in the US. Now, the number of Chinese students studying the United States has grown dramatically to 400,000 in total by 2007. There are also a growing number of American students in China, reaching more than 10,000. According to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, more than 50,000 students at public middle schools in the United States are learning Chinese.

Back then, cooperation and exchanges in the field of science and technology was close to nothing. Over the past 30 years, China and the United States have conducted fruitful cooperation in the field of environmental protection, agriculture, nuclear energy, disease prevention, disaster relief, etc.

Back then, China and the United States developed their relations to cope with one common threat. Today, bilateral relations have a more global dimension. On major international and regional issues ranging from counterterrorism, non-proliferation to financial crisis, piracy and global warming, coordination and cooperation have been fruitful, giving bilateral relations increasing strategic influence and global significance.

China-US relationship has moved from estrangement and antagonism to responsible stakeholders and constructive partners. This is what the times entail and what our peoples desire. As we look back at what China-US relations have gone through, there are profound lessons and rich experience.

First of all, China and the United States are both big countries with significant influence in the world. Developing a constructive and cooperative relationship serves the interests of our peoples and works for world peace, stability and prosperity.

Second, China and the United States have extensive common interests despite the different social systems and cultural heritages. We are partners, not rivals, still in no way enemies.

In the final analysis, it is up to our two sides to steer our relationship clearly and firmly in the direction of constructive cooperation. We should stay committed to closer dialogues, cooperation and exchanges. We should respect and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns in real action. We should handle the differences and sensitive issues such as trade imbalance, IPR protection, Taiwan, Tibet, human rights and freedom of religious belief appropriately. This will help ensure that China-US relations continue to make progress to the greater benefit of our peoples and the people throughout the world.

It is crucial to always bear in mind that development is a constant theme in China-US relations. A sound and steady development of China-US relations ahead is the shared aspiration of the peoples of the two countries and where their fundamental interests lie. We are ready to work together with the US side to approach our bilateral relationship from the strategic and long-term perspective. The two countries should abide by the principles of the three joint communiqués, maintain and intensify contacts at various levels, strengthen consultation and dialogue mechanisms, enhance mutual strategic trust and continue to explore new areas of cooperation.

There is reason to believe that as long as we both keep our minds abreast with the times and keep to the overall interests of constructive cooperation, we will be able to build a new type of state-to-state relationship featuring harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation between the biggest developed country and the biggest developing country in the world. The next 30 years will be even more splendid for China-US relationship.