Good evening. It’s my great pleasure to be with you today commemorating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the friends in our consular district for your long-standing support for the development of China-U.S. relations.
Over the past 45 years, despite ups and downs, China-U.S. relations has moved forward on the whole and has become the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Where this relationship is heading not only bears the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples,but also determines the future of humanity and our Planet. Drawing wisdom from history will help us light up the road ahead.
In 1971, the U.S. table tennis team visited Beijing--A small ball moved the globe. One year later, President Nixon took an ice-breaking visit to China and signed the Shanghai Communique with China, which lays the political foundation for the bilateral relationship. On January 1st, 1979, China and the U.S. officially established diplomatic relations. In 1984, the Chinese delegation returned to Olympic Games for the first time in 52 years, with Los Angeles being the host. Entering the 21st century, our two heads of state have been calibrating the direction of the large ship of China-U.S. relations and avoid hidden reefs and dangerous shoals.
The list of mutually-beneficial cooperation between China and the U.S. is getting broadened. The bilateral trade volume has surged from less than $2.5 billion in 1979 to nearly $670 billion in 2023, and two-way investment has boomed from almost zero to more than $260 billion. Nowadays, China ranks No.1 export market for four U.S. states and among the top three for 38 states. U.S. exports to China have created more than 1 million jobs for locals. More than 70,000 U.S. companies are doing business and investing in China, making an annual profit of more than $50 billion. In recent years, China and the U.S. have also been carrying out constructive cooperation on global issues, including tackling climate change and cracking down on terrorism. California, particularly Los Angeles and Long Beach, has long been at the forefront of increasing exchanges and cooperation with China. Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach are working together with Port of Shanghai in building green shipping corridors.
The stories of the friendship between the Chinese and U.S. peoples are getting expanded. From the Flying Tigers who helped Chinese fight against fascist invasion, to “ping pong diplomacy” which opened the door of people-to-people exchanges, to “Panda Envoys” bringing the two peoples closer, the people-to-people friendship has always been the keynote, foundation and source of power for the development of China-U.S. relations. The number of sister provinces/states and sister cities between the two countries has reached 284 pairs. Before the pandemic, more than 5 million people crossed the pacific ocean every year. 400,000 Chinese students came to study in the U.S., and there were once more than 20,000 U.S. students studying in China. During his visit to China last October, Governor Newsom stated that California is willing to be China’s long-term, stable and strong partner. With our concerted efforts, the sub-national cooperation, including the sister-city ties between Los Angeles and Guangzhou, Long Beach and Qingdao, Phoenix and Chengdu, is destined to deliver more benefits.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
Today, China-US relations stand at a new starting point . Last November, President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden held a historic summit meeting in San Francisco. The two heads of state further discussed about the right way for China and the US to get along, clearly outlined the shared responsibilities of our two major countries, reached more than 20 consensus in such areas as political affairs and foreign policy, people-to-people exchange, global governance, and military and security, and came up with a future-oriented San Francisco vision. On January 1st this year, the two leaders exchanged congratulatory letters upon the 45th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations, and expressed readiness to jointly steer the relationship forward. The three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, proposed by President Xi, are not only the lessons we should draw from history of China-U.S. relations, but the right way for China and the U.S. to get along with each other. Let’s work together to put in more efforts to follow them.
First, uphold mutual respect and properly handle differences. Given different history, culture, social system, and stage of development, it is only natural for China and the U.S. to have some differences. It is not possible for us to see eye in eye on everything. Both sides should adhere to the principle of mutual respect and seeking common ground while putting aside differences. One country’s success is an opportunity for the other rather than challenge,and the two sides need to help each other succeed instead of undercutting one another. China welcomes an open and confident United States that enjoys growth and prosperity. At the meantime, we hope U.S. welcome a peaceful, stable and prosperous China. The one-China principle has long been a fundamental norm in international relations and a prevailing consensus among the international community. It is the political foundation for China to establish and develop diplomatic relations with other countries, including the US. Just like any other nations, China has the legitimate right to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests, and firmly advance the just cause of national reunification.
Second, focus on common interests and expand mutually beneficial cooperation. Over the past years, as the second-largest economy in the world, China contributes about 30% to global economic growth, playing its role as a key engine of global economy. In 2023, China achieved a smooth transition in COVID response phase as well as a steady recovery and picking-up in the economy. China’s GDP reached 126 trillion yuan(17.67 trillion US dollars), up 5.2% year-on-year. We are now advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts through high-quality development and is committed to advancing high-level opening-up. With unique ultra-large market, complete industrial system and abundant workforce, China’s economic fundamentals will remain sound over the long term. The continued development of China will create more opportunities for other countries and further contribute to the prosperity and stability of the world. American companies are welcome to invest and expand business in China, to attend China International Import Expo and China Import and Export Fair, to benefit from China’s development opportunities. China-California Business Forum will be held in Los Angeles this May. We invite you to participate and share your vision and ideas for promoting mutually-beneficial cooperation.
Third, deepen the foundation for friendship and promote people-to-people exchanges. The more exchanges made by the two peoples, the more support we will get for the development of China-US relations, the brighter the future of the bilateral relationship will be. In the San Francisco summit meeting, President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden agreed to further increase direct passenger flights earlier this year. In his speech at the welcome dinner hosted by friendly organizations in the US, President Xi announced that China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years. Recently, China has already canceled the appointment requirement for visa application, simplified the visa application form and lowered application fees. You are most welcome to visit China,to explore a real China in a multi-dimensional and comprehensive manner and build more bridges of close affinity between the two peoples, so as to level up cooperation in such fields as economic and trade, culture and education, and people-to-people exchanges.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
At the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, which was recently held in Beijing, President Xi Jinping pointed out, building a community with a shared future for mankind is the noble goal pursued by China in the new era. We call for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, so as to achieve prosperity for all. All countries in this world, China and the U.S. included, share the responsibilities to work together for a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for our planet.
The Consulate is ready to work with friends from all walks of life, following three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation,to make concerted efforts to increase dialogue and exchanges, to deepen pragmatic cooperation, to write a new chapter for the friendship between our two peoples and inject enduring vitality and impetus into our relations.
On the occasion of commemorating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations, as well as upon the upcoming Chinese new year of the Dragon, I’d like to propose a toast,
To the prosperity of our two great nations and the well-being of our two peoples.
To the sound and steady development of China-U.S. relations.
Wish the friendship between our two peoples ever-lasting.
Thank you.
