On January 12, 2009, USCF President Larry Lee was invited to attend a two-day symposium held in Beijing to mark the 30th anniversary of Sino-US establishing diplomatic relationship. President Larry Lee met with his old friends including Dr. Henry Kissinger, former federal senator and US Ambassador James Sasser, Winston Lord, former Washington Governor Gary Locke, and former US Consul General Kenneth Jarrett during this symposium. Also, on behalf of ‘21st Centaury Economic Report’ and ‘Beijing Youth Weekly’, President Larry Lee attended news conferences and exclusive interviews of Dr. Henry Kissinger, Ambassador James Sasser, Governor Gary Locke. USCF senior advisor, former Chinese Consul General to Houston Hua Jinzhou, and former Chinese Consul General Qiu Shengyun also attended this symposium.
President Larry Lee also met expert in China ’s relation, first US Ambassador to China Woodcock’s wife; Ms. Ge, Ambassador Hanxu’s wife and other celebrities.
* CRI reports: The year of 2009 is the 30th anniversary of Sino-US establishing diplomatic relationship. On January 12, 250 Chinese and American celebrities including former politicians, diplomats, and scholars came to Beijing to attend a two-day symposium to mark the 30th anniversary of Sino-US establishing diplomatic relationship. During the symposium, they exchanged their experiences, discussed the significance of Sino-US establishing diplomatic relationship, and looked ahead at the prospect of the two nation’s relationship.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter played a crucial role in establishing Sino-US diplomatic relationship. On January 1, 1979, during his presidency, China and America established diplomatic relationship. On the day before China and America established diplomatic relationship, President Carter wrote in his diary, ‘Under the pens of Mr. Deng Xiaoping and me,
Sino-US relationship entered a new era.’ After 30 years, President Carter was still very pleased for him to make this historic decision. During the symposium held on January 12, he said, ‘ China and America establishing diplomatic relationship is an important turning-point not only for myself but for Chinese and Americans. The relationship of the two nations has since developed on the basis of equality, mutual respect and understanding.’
Over the past 30 years, with joint efforts of Chinese and American politicians and their people, Sino-US relationship developed continuously. Although it experienced different international political situations, faced the continuously arising problems from both sides, Sino-US relationship becomes increasingly stronger. Summarizing the experiences of Sino-US relationship, former member of China’s State Council, former foreign minister, Tang Jiaxuan said, ‘Looking back at the development of Sino-US relationship over the past 30 years, we learned many helpful experiences, first, we should consider things from strategic point of view and in a long run; second, we should strengthen high-level visits and mutual trusts; third, we should continuously protect mutual interests, expand bilateral cooperation; fourth, we should respect each other; deal with the disagreements well; finally, we should strengthen non-governmental exchange between the two countries, and the social basis of the Sino-US relationship.’
The national security affairs adviser of Carter’s administration then, remarked that now Sino-US relationship has become one of important bilateral relationships in the world; both parties depend on each other, and the world benefits from this relationship. He said, ‘Sino-US relationship can be a complex, mutual relationship, we view China from a practical, friendly point of view, compete and negotiate with each other within the framework of international relation principal. American diplomatic counterparts appreciate very much the concept ‘Peaceful development, Harmonious world’ proposed by China and also acceptable by America . Therefore, we can deal well with our disagreements, the world and China and America can benefit from this relationship.’
Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger made his secret visit to China then, and he is the pioneer of improving Sino-US relationship. He believed that at current stage, the two countries should strengthen further bilateral cooperation. He said, ‘Sino-US relationship entered a new era. It is very important for us to strengthen our cooperation at this stage; we should establish a relationship that can bridge the Pacific. If this goal can be achieved, we will see a dramatic change in this relationship in the 30 years to come.’
During the 30th anniversary of China and America establishing diplomatic relationship, the two countries are facing a series of issues: new American administration will govern; China and America both are experiencing the challenge from the severe financial crisis. Chinese vice foreign minister He Yafei added at the symposium, America and China as the biggest developed country and the biggest developing country increasingly faces common challenge and opportunities. Therefore, it is very important for the two nations to work together. He also said, ‘ China ’s development can bring more opportunities to America and the world. We are pleased to notice that developing Sino-US relationship increasingly become the common goal of the Democratic and Republic. More and more Americans realized that China and America are partners and not rivals. We should consider and deal with Sino-US relationship from the long-term, strategic point of view; promote the development of Sino-US relationship under the principal of the three Sino-US Communiqué and on the basis of mutual respect, interest and cooperation.’
