HOUSTON, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Formal U.S. President
Jimmy Carter has sent his best wishes to the Chinese government and people on
the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of
China, and called on the two countries to work together to tackle global
challenges.
"The people of China and I have enjoyed a long and
precious friendship, and I congratulate you as you celebrate the accomplishments
China has achieved during the past 60 years," Carter said in a letter dated
Sept. 14 to Yanping Gao, China's consul general in Houston.
Carter recalls the days when he, as U.S. President,
made the decision with then Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping to establish
diplomatic relations between the United States and China in 1979.
Following the rapid development of bilateral ties in
the past 30 years, more than 60 bilateral dialogue and consultation mechanisms
have been established between the two nations. Observers believe these are
important platforms for in-depth exchanges of views on strategic thinking in
economic and political fields, and they have helped enhance strategic mutual
trust between China and United States.
"The citizens of the United States and China have
benefited greatly from 30 years of a peaceful and prosperous friendship," he
said. "In this short time, China has become the third largest economy and the
largest exporter of goods in the world, and your global political influence is
equally impressive."
The past 30 years have seen the economies of China
and the United States complement each other well in a lot of aspects, resulting
in the rapid expansion and win-win nature of bilateral trade and economic
cooperation.
China and United States are now each other's second
largest trading partners, and China has been the fastest growing market for U.S.
exports for 6 years in a row.
Looking forward, the former U.S. president calls on
the two countries to "continue to maintain mutual respect and work together to
face the challenges of global warming and climate change, human suffering,
terrorism, nuclear proliferation, regional warfare, and the global economic
downturn."
Special
Report: 30th Anniversary of Sino-U.S. Diplomatic
Relations
