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.

"As one of the most dynamic and important bilateral relations in the world, Sino-U.S. relations not only benefit the two peoples, but also help world peace and development," Xi said.


Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who is here to attend the commemorative events of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 12, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)
Xi said that at this crucial time, during the international financial crisis, China and the United States should deal with bilateral relations from a broader global perspective and from the attitude of keeping pace with the times.

He called for the two nations to constantly review bilateral relations from a strategic and overall perspective and firmly pursue constructive and cooperative relations.

The two countries should maintain exchanges and improve all dialogue and cooperation mechanisms, so as to increase mutual understanding and trust, Xi said.

China and the United States should increase cooperation to jointly respond to global challenges, and expand common interests to contribute more to world peace and development, he added.

Xi also called for the two countries to abide by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and respect each other's core interests in a bid to safeguard and promote their relations.

The two nations should strengthen friendly exchanges between their peoples to cement the social basis for friendship, he said.

The two countries saw trade exceed 300 billion U.S. dollars in 2007, about 120 times of that 30 years ago.

So far, the two governments have signed more than 30 agreements of cooperation, and set up more than 60 dialogue mechanisms.

China and the United States, as cooperative partners, not strategic opponent, enjoyed mutually beneficial relations, not zero-sum competitive ties, Xi said. The cooperation was conducive for both countries, for the Asia-Pacific region, and for the world at large.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said in his address that the relationship "is the most important diplomatic relationship in the world today."

Carter, who, in office, made the decision to normalize relations with China, said, "History has shown that normalization brought greater security and prosperity to more people, not only to the U.S. and Chinese peoples, but also to the rest of the world."

He said he was fortunate to see the relationship flourish and to observe China reinventing and rebuilding herself into a nation that has "changed her mission to the Chinese people and to the world".

"If we are to overcome the challenges of the 21st Century, including global warming and climate change, disease control, terrorism, nuclear proliferation and a global financial crisis, our two nations must maintain the mutual respect that has served us in the past," he said.


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)

"The founding principles of 'understanding, patience and persistence' that began 30 years ago should never be in danger," Carter said, referring to the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Carter said he had always adhered to the one-China policy. "I consider it an essential policy priority of the United States that the People's Republic of China be recognized as the sole government of China," he noted.


Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter (2nd L), who is here to attend the commemorative events of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, presents his new book to Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 12, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)

Xi met with Carter before the reception, applauding the efforts of Carter and other politicians to promote the Sino-U.S. relations. Xi hoped they would continue their work.

Source: Xinhua