Thirty years after the "Ping-pong Diplomacy" opened the door to China-US diplomatic relations, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger came back to Beijing again.

On his 34th visit to China since 1971, Dr. Kissinger described himself as a "poor player by Chinese standards," and "by American standard, a mediocre player."

But the "poor player" is well known in China, a country of more than a billion population, for his high expertise in Sino-U.S. diplomacy and his contribution to the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States.

Dr. Kissinger said he was satisfied with the development of relations between China and the United States over the past 30 years and is optimistic about the direction of the relationship.

"I think the relationship is improving, and I'm very hopeful, having had the privilege of talking with your leaders, that we are beginning a new period of cooperation, and closer cooperation, between our two countries," he said.

China-U.S. relations should be based on the common interest of people of the two countries and peace, stability and progress of Asia and the world as well, he said.

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