Enhanced Mutual Understanding and Trust towards a Conservative and Cooperative Relationship between China and the United States

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This year marks the 30th anniversary of President Nixon's visit to China and the release of the Sino-US Shanghai Communiqué. China-US relations have not developed smoothly in the past 30 years, but the general trend is one of moving forward, and one that has seen historical achievements in extensive areas of the relationship.

Thirty years ago, there was almost no official contact between China and the US. Today, there are frequent high-level exchanges, and the two sides have reached more than 30 official agreements on cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, educational and other fields.

Thirty years ago, there were few exchanges between the two peoples. Today, there are more than 60,000 Chinese students studying in the US and more than 5,000 American students studying in China. Personnel exchanges are increasing day by day. Almost one million American tourists traveled to China in last year alone.

Thirty years ago, there was very little trade between China and the US. Today, China is the fourth largest trading partner of the US, and the US is the second largest trading partner of China and the largest source country of foreign direct investment. The bilateral trade volume exceeded US$80 billion in 2001. The paid-in value of US investment in China has exceeded US$35 billion.

History and the reality tell us that cooperation between China and the US will benefit both while confrontation will leave neither unharmed. A steady, sound and growing China-US relationship serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the people of the world and is also in line with the historical trend of human progress.

In today's world, peace and development are the main themes of the times. It is the common aspiration of the people of all countries to seek peace, cooperation and development. However, the factors compromising world peace and stability are still very prominent, and the world is far from tranquil. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and the US shoulder major responsibilities for the future of mankind. The two countries have extensive common interests and are in immediate need of cooperation in maintaining peace and stability and promoting regional and global development.