China, US start high-profile events to mark ties

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-12 20:08

BEIJING - China and the United States on Monday kicked off a series of events to mark their three decades' work of building one of the world's most crucial bilateral relationships.

Former US President Jimmy Carter (3rd R) and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (L) attend a photo exhibition on 30 years of China-US diplomatic relations in Beijing January 12, 2009. Carter and Kissinger are in Beijing to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of US-China diplomatic relations which commenced on January 1, 1979. [Agencies]

"Like a scroll of vivid historic scenes, these pictures showcased significant progresses in the 30-year China-US relations and deeply inspired us," Chinese President Hu Jintao said in a congratulatory message sent to a photo exhibition marking the relations.

Thanks to the "ping-pong diplomacy" that melted the ice between the two nations, then US President Richard Nixon paid a groundbreaking visit to China in 1972.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) speaks with former U.S. president James Carter (L) during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing January 12, 2009. Carter is in China to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of U.S. China diplomatic relations, which began on January 1, 1979. [Agencies]

The two countries formally established diplomatic relations on January 1, 1979.

With 360 pictures recalling milestones in bilateral relations, the photo exhibition on Monday drew nearly 200 people from the two countries, including some key figures in forging relations like former US President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

From top leaders' handshakes to US swimmers' laugh at last summer Olympics, from McDonald's first store in Beijing to China's auto show in Detroit, these pictures enabled visitors to relive the landmark moments.

"It is very nostalgic," said former US ambassador to Beijing Winston Lord, a member of the US delegation during Richard Nixon's groundbreaking visit to China in 1972.

"The photos brought back many warm and happy memories on working to develop harmonious relationships between the Chinese and the American people," he added.

In his congratulatory message to the exhibition, US President George W. Bush said the past 30 years had "strengthened the bonds between the two countries."

Bush said he personally witnessed China's transformation over the past three decades. "In 1975 I saw a nation just beginning its journey of modernization. In 2008, I was proud to watch Beijing host a successful and thrilling Olympic Games."

The year-long photo exhibition will be displayed in some Chinese cities, before touring the United States, with a finale to be staged in Atlanta-based Cater Center in December 2009.

On Monday afternoon, a seminar was held to review the past three decades of bilateral ties and look to future relations.

The two-day seminar gathered senior Chinese diplomats like Qian Qichen, Tang Jiaxuan, Li Zhaoxing and all living Chinese ambassadors to Washington D.C. as well as scholars and entrepreneurs.

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