30th Anniversary of Shanghai Communique Marked

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, February 26, 2002

30th Anniversary of Shanghai Communique Marked

Addressing a commemoration meeting held in Beijing Monday to mark the 30th anniversary of Sino-U.S. Shanghai Communique, Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen says that the development of the Sino-U.S. relations have not only benefited the two peoples but also promoted peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

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A commemoration meeting was held here Monday to mark the 30th anniversary of Sino-U.S. Shanghai Communique.

The gathering was organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), China-U.S. People Friendship Association and China Friendship, Peace and Development Foundation.

Dialogue necessary and cooperation possible

Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen addressed the meeting. He recalled that the then U.S. President Richard Nixon visited China 30 years ago when the two countries did not have diplomatic ties. The two sides issued the Sino-U.S. Shanghai Communique on Feb. 28,1972. Since then, the Sino-U.S. relations have developed remarkably, with both official and non-governmental exchanges keeping expanding, he said.

Qian pointed out that the relations between the two countries have not developed smoothly, but difficulties can always be overcome.

The improvement and development of the Sino-U.S. relations have not only benefited the two peoples but also promoted peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large, he said.

Facts show that the Sino-U.S. relations are one of the most important bilateral relations in the world, and should be handled with a long-term and strategic perspective, he added.

"Dialogue is necessary as there are differences, and cooperation is possible because of the existence of common interests," he said.

Further development expected

On U.S. President George W. Bush's China visit last week, Qian said that Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Bush had in-depth discussions and reached important consensus during the visit, and the Sino-U.S. relations are facing new important opportunities for further development.

He said that China is confident with the prospect of Sino-U.S. relations, hoping mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides would increase while trouble and confrontation would be reduced.

The common aspirations of both Chinese and U.S. peoples to strengthen friendly cooperation will help push forward the Sino-U.S. relations, he added.

Chen Haosu, president of the CPAFFC, recalled the history about the Sino-U.S. Shanghai Communique and the cooperation between China and the U.S. in various fields for the past 30 years. Chen said that his association will further promote the non-governmental exchanges between the two countries.

U.S. ambassador to China Clark Randt said that he will make efforts to enhance the bilateral relations and help reducing differences to build stronger and closer ties between the U.S. and China.

Shanghai Communique (Issued in Shanghai, February 28, 1972)

President Richard Nixon of the United States of America visited the People's Republic of China at the invitation of Premier Chou En-lai of the People's Republic of China from February 21 to February 28, 1972. Accompanying the President were Mrs. Nixon, U.S. Secretary of State William Rogers, Assistant to the President Dr. Henry Kissinger, and other American officials.

President Nixon met with Chairman Mao Tsetung of the Communist Party of China on February 21. The two leaders had a serious and frank exchange of views on Sino-U.S. relations and world affairs.

During the visit, extensive, earnest and frank discussions were held between President Nixon and Premier Chou En-lai on the normalization of relations between the United States of America and the People's Republic of China, as well as on other matters of interest to both sides. In addition, Secretary of State William Rogers and Foreign Minister Chi Peng-fei held talks in the same spirit. (Full Text)

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