The Forum on US-China Relations co-hosted by CPAFFC and the Carter Center was held on Nov. 11th at Atlanta, Georgia. Jimmy Carter, former US President, Cui Tiankai, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC, Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor, Charlene Barshefsky, former U.S. Trade Representative and other scholars and business leaders attended the Forum, sharing views on how to build the new type of major country relations between China and the U.S..
President Li Xiaolin said that unprecedented changes have taken place in China during the past 30 years. China is now the world’s second largest economy with remarkable improvement in overall national strength. Chinese people actively participate in the discussions on international affairs and the international community wants China to share its voice on major issues. China’s rapid development has posed great influence upon the economic discourse power and moral authority of both Europe and America. With China’s attention extended from continent to oceans and space, China and the U.S. are sharing more mutual interests in those fields. These changes present new opportunities as well as challenges to the development of China-U.S. relations. The heads of state of our two countries achieved agreement on building new type of major country relations between China and the U.S., which set the goal for the future development of the bilateral relations. To achieve this goal, we need to win stronger public support, enhance friendly exchanges, increase mutual trust, demonstrate sincerity and take a longer view on the sustained development of friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. CPAFFC has done a great deal of work in promoting bilateral sub-national exchange in recent years. For example, we successfully held two China-U.S. Governors Forums in collaboration with the U.S. National Governors Association, which helped promoting comprehensive exchanges and cooperation between sub-national governments of the two countries as well as consolidating the friendly basis of the two peoples.
U.S. former President Jimmy Carter reviewed the development of China-U.S. relations during his speech. He has been making unswerving efforts in promoting cooperation between China and the U.S., helping American people get a better understanding on a free, open and dynamic China and the tremendous achievements China has made after adopting reform and opening-up policy. Although there are many differences between China and the U.S., both countries shoulder common responsibilities in tackling many global challenges. A glorious future of China-U.S. relations will be made possible through joint efforts from both sides.
Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Cui Tiankai said that China-U.S. relations have grown rapidly after the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the U.S. since 1979. China’s fast growth caused concerns from the U.S. and other countries on the rise of China. However, history has proved that the development of China and China-U.S. relations would provide greater opportunities for both countries, Asia and the world at large. China will not pose any threat to other countries. Both sides should work closely in tackling common global challenges so as to inject new impetus to the bilateral relations.
Representatives from the political, academic and business circles of the two countries discussed various topics during the forum, such as the history and future of China-U.S. relations, economic and trade cooperation, media influence, China-U.S. cooperation in Africa and youth exchanges. Q& A sessions were held also.
After the Forum, President Li Xiaolin traveled to Washington D.C. and met with representatives from the U.S. State Department and the National Governors Association and discussed the preparation work for next year’s China-U.S. Governors Forum.
