Carter urges deeper Sino-US financial interdependence

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-17 10:00

SHANGHAI -- Former US President Jimmy Carter said Friday he hoped the United States and China would deepen mutually beneficial financial interdependence.

Carter said the financial crisis enabled closer ties between the United States and China and he hoped China would continue to buy US government debt.

Carter, in China to attend events to mark the 30th anniversary of Sino-US diplomatic ties, conveyed President-elect Barack Obama's message of his resolve to maintain sound bilateral relations.

Although China and the US had different cultures, histories and political systems, they had much more in common, said Carter at a symposium marking the anniversary.

The United States attached great importance to US-China relations, especially in coping with the challenge of global climate change and the financial crisis, he said.

He believed bilateral relations would continue to develop and improve in the next 30 years.

In Shanghai, Carter also attended the opening of a photo exhibition which showcased the 30-year course of China-US relations.

The former president also voiced his confidence in the strong US participation in the Shanghai World Expo to be held in 2010.