On December 11, 2008, visiting Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo, who is on a working visit to the U.S., delivered a speech at the dinner marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations hosted by the Brookings Institution. About 200 people from the U.S. political, business and academic circles attended the gathering.
Dai pointed out in the speech that more than 30 years ago, the great statesmen of the two countries used the small ping-pong ball for a big undertaking: the resumption of contact between the two countries. In the short span of 30 years, with the joint efforts of several generations of Chinese leaders, seven U.S. presidents and people in both countries, the ship of China-U.S. relations has forged ahead, and become the most dynamic and important bilateral relationship in the world. It has brought tremendous benefits to the two peoples and contributed greatly to world peace and development. The exchanges between the two countries at the top and other levels are becoming more and more frequent. The two countries have common views on more and more strategic issues. The common interests linking the two countries have widened and the mutually-beneficial cooperation has expanded and deepened. The friendly ties between people of the two countries have become more solid.
Dai said what has happened in the past 30 years proves that instead of weakening American strength and advantages, China's development has advanced U.S. interests. China and the United States are partners rather than rivals, still less enemies. China-U.S. relationship is not a zero-sum game but a win-win relationship. We must view and handle China-U.S. relations from a strategic height and a long-term perspective.
Dai noted that the Chinese people embarked on the historic journey of reform and opening-up and modernization drive about the same time the two countries established diplomatic relations. With 30 years of painstaking efforts, China has scored great achievements that have been recognized worldwide. China's development has brought opportunities for prosperity, development and cooperation to all countries, including the United States, and China is an important stabilizing force for gradual and orderly changes in the international system. China remains a developing country in every sense of the term. There is still a long way to go before China can truly become prosperous and strong.
Dai emphasized that China pursues peaceful development and treats others with an open heart. Countries across the world can develop relations with China with ease and confidence. It is evident to all that China is taking up more and more international responsibilities and obligations commensurate with its strength and status. In a world of growing interdependence, China's future and destiny are increasingly tied to those of the world. “We should all live in harmony, share benefits and responsibilities and work for win-win progress. This is in the best interest of everyone.”
Dai pointed out that China-U.S. relations are now at a new historical point after 30 years of development. Both sides have every reason and responsibility to jointly promote greater and better growth of the relationship in the next 30 years and beyond. To realize greater growth of China-U.S. relations, it is essential for China and the United States to show mutual support, treat each other as equals and keep to the direction of building the China-U.S. constructive and cooperative relationship. The immediate task is to achieve a smooth transition in the relationship and ensure that it continues to forge ahead from the new starting point. The most urgent item on the agenda is to strengthen macroeconomic and financial policy coordination and work together to address the international financial crisis. Both sides must oppose all forms of trade protectionism and any attempt to politicize economic and trade issues. The key link is to make sure both sides handle well issues involving each other's core interests and maintain and develop the strategic underpinning of cooperation. Taiwan and Tibet-related issues concern China's core interests. The Chinese people have an unshakable determination to defend their core interests. The fundamental approach is to enhance strategic dialogue and communication, expand strategic consensus, build strategic mutual trust, promote strategic cooperation and identify new areas of China-U.S. cooperation. The most important foundation lies in enhanced mutual understanding between the two countries and peoples and stronger goodwill and friendship toward each other. Both sides should encourage more and more people to devote themselves to China-U.S. friendship so that the friendly ties will be carried forward from generation to generation and enjoy solid public support. Both sides should build between China and the United States, two big countries with different social systems and cultures and at different levels of development, a new type of relationship featuring harmony and common development in the 21st century.