The U.S. and China are commemorating 30 years of bilateral relations. AFP reports on messages exchanged by Presidents Hu and Bush:
Hu’s message called the establishment of formal diplomatic ties on January 1, 1979, a key moment in world history and said China was eager to work with the United States in facing today’s global challenges.
“In a time of deep and complex world change, China is willing to join with the United States in facing new opportunities and challenges,” Hu said, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
Xinhua quoted Bush as saying in his message that China and the United States had in the past 30 years “transcended deep cultural and political differences, bridging a wide gulf.”
Also from Reuters:
Chinese President Hu Jintao called for strengthened cooperation with the United States as the two countries marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties on New Year’s Day.
Thousands of peace doves were released in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square at dawn on Thursday, as the Chinese flag was raised for the first morning of 2009. The United states switched diplomatic recognition from Kuomintang-controlled Taiwan to Communist China on Jan 1, 1979.
See a timeline of important events in U.S.-China relations from Reuters, and a commentary on the relationship via Xinhua.
