China-US relations on path towards greater progress

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-01 10:36

The volume of bilateral trade between China and the US rose from US$990 million in 1978 to 302 billion US dollars in 2007. The two countries have now become each other's second largest trading partner.

The accumulated American investment in China has so far totaled almost 60 billion US dollars. There now are 17,000 US-funded enterprises operating in China, with annual sales revenues up to more than US$100 billion.

However, the development of China-US relations has not been smooth, and the progress achieved has not been easy to come by. The two countries should really cherish the current development result of their ties.

Past experiences showed that the three Joint Communiques issued by the two sides laid political basis for bilateral ties, and only the two sides adhere to these principles, seek common ground while reserving differences, and enhance consensus, will the bilateral ties break through difficulties and develop healthily.

When China and the United States established diplomatic ties, former US President Jimmy Carter said "mutual respect" is the most important factor in safeguarding and developing US ties with China.

History has proved that the development of China-US relations depends on whether to respect the other side's core interests, whether to respect different social systems, development process, histories and cultures.

Equal dialogue and communication on the basis of mutual respect is the right way to remove misunderstandings and improve mutual trust.

Adhering to the direction of developing a constructive cooperative relationship, the two countries can march to the road of harmony and mutual development.

China-US ties have played an increasingly important role in the whole world. Today, the largest developing country and the largest developed country share larger common interests than ever before.

The two jointly shoulder the responsibility in the fields of safeguarding world peace and stability, promoting freedom of trade and investment, and facing challenges like the changing climate and energy issues.

At present, the world is confronted with a serious financial crisis and weak prospects for global economic growth. China and the US, two economic entities that make the biggest contribution to the world economic growth, cannot escape the hit.

Against such a backdrop, the two sides should promote their bilateral ties onto a new level, further strengthen high-level exchanges, step up cooperation in various fields, and enhance coordination in macro-economic and financial policies. Such efforts will not only help the two countries tackle the crisis together, but will also serve to maintain global financial stability and stimulate world economic growth.

As China and the US mark the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic ties whilst US president-elect Barak Obama is ready to take office, the China-US ties are at a significant historical point. Under the joint efforts of both sides, the China-US ties can be expected to enjoy remarkable development and head for a bright future.

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