BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday met with a high-profile U.S. delegation on the sidelines of celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
"The establishment of China-U.S. relations 30 years ago ushered in a new era. The leaders and people of the two nations who made important contributions to this milestone will go down in history," Wen told former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who led the delegation.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (1st R) meets with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2009. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) Photo Gallery>>>
Carter said it was a great honor and pleasure to represent one of the administrations that worked to establish the diplomatic relations and come to Beijing for anniversary celebrations.
Thanks to the "ping-pong diplomacy" that melted the ice between the nations, then U.S. President Richard Nixon paid a groundbreaking visit to China in 1972.
The two countries formally established diplomatic relations on Jan. 1, 1979 when Carter was president of the United States.
"I visited China as a young man when I was in the navy. I always think my life, my destiny are very close to China," Carter said.
He said even before he was inaugurated as president, he discussed with Zbigniew Brzezinski that normalizing relations with China was his "top priority."
The U.S. delegation to the Beijing celebrations included key figures in forging relations such as former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, National Security Advisors Brent Scowcroft and Zbigniew Brzezinski and former U.S. ambassadors.
In an hour-long meeting with the delegation, Wen said China-U.S. relations had produced fruitful results over the past three decades.
"The most important is that we agreed on the general direction of building constructive cooperation," Wen said.
Wen said the two nations established a series of effective dialogues and mechanisms, developed cooperation in politics, economy, culture and other fields, which cemented the basis of public opinions and interests to develop the bilateral ties and step up the confidence and courage to conquer the difficulties.
"These are our shared treasures and the source of strength for further cooperation," Wen said.
Wen said the current international political and economic situations were complicated and volatile.
"China-U.S. relations stay at a crucial time connecting the past and the future, facing tremendous opportunities and challenges," Wen said.
Wen proposed the two nations take a strategic and long-term perspective, and not waver in developing a constructive partnership.
"Particularly in responding to the international financial difficulties, the two nations should step up mutual trust and cooperation, jointly tackle difficulties, take the relations to a new high and make new contributions for the world's harmonious and sustainable development."
In response, Carter proposed the two countries understand and respect each other, step up dialogues to deal with global challenges, enhance the constructive cooperation.
He also pledged to continuously commit himself to promoting U.S.-China cooperation.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2009. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) Photo Gallery>>>
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday met with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter as the two nations marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
"As old friends of the Chinese people, you played an important role in establishing China-U.S. diplomatic ties and witnessed that historic decision," Hu told the Carter-led U.S. delegation, which came here for commemorative events. Full story
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (front, 2nd R) talks to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter (front, C), who is here to attend the commemorative events of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, while they are taking a group photo in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 12, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng) Photo Gallery>>>
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States on Monday agreed that Sino-U.S. relations had become one of the most dynamic and important bilateral relations in the world.
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and visiting former U.S. President Jimmy Carter made the consensus when addressing a reception in the Great Hall of the People to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Full story
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter (2nd R, front) and his wife Rosalynn Carte visit the photo exhibition marking the 30th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties between China and the United States in Beijing Jan. 12, 2009. The exhibition kicked off here on Monday. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) Photo Gallery>>>
BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States on Monday kicked off a series of activities to mark their three decades' work of building one of the world's most crucial bilateral relationships.
"Like a scroll of vivid historic scenes, these pictures showcased significant progresses in the 30-year China-U.S relations and deeply inspired us," Chinese President Hu Jintao said in a congratulatory message set to a photo exhibition marking the relations. Full story
Clark Randt (R), U.S. ambassador to China, speaks during a reception marking the 30th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations in Beijing Jan. 11, 2009. During the reception held by the U.S. embassy in China on Sunday, four U.S. ambassadors eyed a continued China policy under the Obama administration.(Xinhua/Li Mingfang) Photo Gallery>>>
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Four U.S. ambassadors in Beijing on Sunday eyed a continued China policy under the Obama administration.
"I am optimistic that U.S-China ties will continue to improve and remain steady in the years ahead. In fact, they are getting better," former U.S. ambassador to China James Sasser told reporters on the sidelines of a reception marking the 30th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations. Full story
BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte said Thursday that the relationship between the United States and China has matured.
"The two countries have interactions and exchanges of human activity on a scale and depth that could not have been imagined when diplomatic ties were established in 1979," he said. Full story
