Highlights in China-US ties over past four decades

File photo of Xinhua shows then Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji gives a speech in the joint press conference with then US President Bill Clinton in Washington, the United States on April 8, 1999. [Photo/Xinhua]

-- June 25 - July 3, 1998: US President Bill Clinton made a state visit to China, during which the two countries issued three joint statements on South Asia, the inspection protocol to the Biological Weapons Convention and the issue of anti-personnel mines.

-- April 6 - 14, 1999: Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji made an official visit to the United States. Zhu and US President Bill Clinton issued a joint statement on China's accession to the World Trade Organization.

-- Nov. 19 - 21, 2005: US President George W. Bush paid a visit to China, during which he held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao. The two leaders exchanged views in an in-depth way on China-US relations and regional and international issues of common concern. They agreed to expand common understanding and deepen mutual trust in order to carry forward in an all-round manner the constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries in the 21st century.