On January 9, 2024, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng delivered a speech at the Carter Center Forum commemorating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of U.S.-China relations.

Ambassador Xie said that January 1 this year marked the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America. President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden exchanged congratulatory letters, speaking highly of the historical significance of the event, recognizing the historic achievements in China-U.S. relations over the past 45 years, and expressing readiness to jointly steer the relationship forward. Taking stock of the past 45 years, we believe that the most important inspiration is that China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, and working together is our only correct choice. The broadest consensus is that we should make the China-U.S. relationship work and not mess it up, which is also a shared expectation of the international community. The only right way to get along is mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

Ambassador Xie said that the China-U.S. relationship is again at a new historical starting point. Let’s stay true to the commitment we made when establishing diplomatic ties, act in line with the trend of the times, show foresight, courage and creativity, and live up to our responsibilities. We need to embark on a new journey from San Francisco onward, start with concrete steps, and faithfully deliver on the important common understandings reached between our Presidents, so as to turn the San Francisco vision into reality, and write more success stories of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between our two countries.