30th Anniversary of Shanghai Communique Commemorated

A commemoration meeting was held in Beijing Monday to mark the 30th anniversary of Sino-US Shanghai Communique.

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

Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen addressed the meeting. He recalled that the then US President Richard Nixon visited China 30 years ago when the two countries did not have diplomatic ties. The two sides issued the Sino-US Shanghai Communique on Feb. 28,1972. Since then, the Sino-US 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-US 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-US 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.

On US 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-US relations are facing new important opportunities forfurther development.

He said that China is confident with the prospect of Sino-US 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 US peoples to strengthen friendly cooperation will help push forward the Sino-US relations, he added.

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

US 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 US and China.

(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2002)