The Sino-US ties have recently improved and concerted efforts are needed to continue to safeguard this hard-won situation, President Jiang Zemin said Thursday.
In a meeting with former US President Jimmy Carter and his party, Jiang said that the 21st century should be one of peace and friendship, and the two nations should make joint efforts to this end.
He expressed belief that so long as the two sides abide by the three joint communiques and the basic norms guiding international relations, increase mutual understanding, and safeguard and promote shared interests, the Sino-U.S. ties will continue to improve and expand.
Jiang said he hopes the two nations develop a constructive cooperation relationship, as this is conducive to the two peoples and significant to world peace, stability and development.
In the new century, he went on to say, China and the US share many common interests in a wide range of fields, thus having more reasons to be friendly to each other and cherish cooperation.
Because of different circumstances, it is not surprising that the two countries have different viewpoints, he said, adding that the world should be diversified and it is improper and impossible to have only one formality.
China holds that all civilizations and social systems should coexist and learn from each other's strong points to offset their weaknesses, Jiang said.
Describing Carter as an old friend of the Chinese people, Jiang said he appreciated Carter's long-term efforts to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
During Carter's term as US president, the two countries established diplomatic ties, a milestone in the history of the bilateral relationship, and Jiang said this historic contribution will be remembered forever.
In the past, Jiang said, bilateral ties have been through some ups and downs.
Since the two countries restarted contacts in 1972, and especially since diplomatic ties were forged, Jiang said, fruitful results have been achieved in extensive fields.
He said the Chinese have always cherished a friendly sentiment towards the Americans, as both nations are great nations and the two peoples are great peoples.
Carter said during his term as US president, the greatest thing he did was help to forge diplomatic ties with China.
The US is pursuing the one-China policy and this China is the People's Republic of China, he said.
When he finished his presidency, Carter said, he set up the Carter Center and one of its important aims is to further promote the U.S.-China relationship.
There exists differences between the two countries, he said, adding that as long as the two sides enhance mutual understanding, increase mutual trust and reduce differences, bilateral relations will continue to proceed in a stable way.
Carter is here at the invitation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.
(People’s Daily 09/07/2001)
