Secretary Bessent,

Chair Barshefsky,

Executive Vice Chair Greenberg,

President Orlins,

Mr. Schwarzman,

Ms. Beran,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

It gives me great pleasure to join you in celebrating the 60th founding anniversary of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.

Over the past six decades, upholding the principle of “encouraging understanding of China and the United States between citizens of both countries”, members of the National Committee have played a pioneering role in helping break the ice between our two countries, worked tirelessly to strengthen the bonds of friendship between our two peoples, and actively championed dialogue and cooperation. The honorees tonight, President Orlins and Mr. Schwarzman, are outstanding representatives of this longstanding commitment. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to both of them, and also pay tribute to the successive leadership teams and all members of the National Committee, as well as to the many friends who have long cared for and supported China-U.S. relations. Let me also wish the National Committee continued success under Sarah’s leadership.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The past years have witnessed profound changes in China, the United States and the entire world. The China-U.S. relationship has also gone through quite some ups and downs. Nevertheless, the mutually beneficial nature of this relationship remains unchanged; the desire of our two peoples for friendly exchanges remains unchanged; and the international community’s shared aspiration for our two countries to coexist in peace remains unchanged. Across the Pacific, a consensus is growing ever stronger: China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, and it is vital for our two major countries to find a right way to get along.

As a big year for China-U.S. relations, this year holds historic and landmark significance. President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump exchanged state visits within half a year. The two sides have agreed on building a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability on the basis of respect, fairness, and reciprocity, sending a clear signal that China and the United States can complement each other. Going forward, there are two more potential opportunities for the two Presidents to meet in Shenzhen and Miami. As the China-U.S. relationship embarks on a new journey, the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations is also seeing new historical opportunities. On this important occasion, I would like to share with you three expectations:

First, let us stay true to the original mission, and keep to the right course. The new characterization of a “constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability” is grounded in history and reality, looks ahead to the future, and charts the path for major countries to find a right way to get along.

We need to faithfully implement our Presidents’ important consensus, and translate the vision into concrete action at a faster pace. We need to adhere to the red lines with respect, engage in a race to the top under the principle of fairness, and promote mutual benefit in the spirit of reciprocity, so as to advance the steady, sound, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.

Second, let us strengthen confidence, and expand cooperation. For China and the United States, win-win cooperation is the mainstream, and also the way forward. The two sides need to give full play to the political and diplomatic channel and also the economic and trade consultation mechanism, and enhance exchanges and cooperation in areas such as mil-to-mil relations, law enforcement, science and technology, people-to-people exchanges, and beyond.

At the recent ninth China International Import Expo, both the scale of participation by American companies and the number of new products they unveiled reached record highs. On the opening day of the American Food and Agriculture Pavilion, cooperation agreements totaling more than $650 million were signed. U.S. investment in China rose 7.7% year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2026, and the American business community is convinced that the next China is still China.

Globally, from advancing the political settlement of hotspot issues to improving artificial intelligence governance, joint efforts of China and the United States are indispensable. While our cooperation may not resolve every challenge, none can be resolved without it.

Third, let us move forward with unwavering commitment, and sow the seeds of tomorrow. President Xi Jinping pointed out that the hope of the China-U.S. relationship lies in the people, and its future depends on the youth. For more than half a century, from facilitating “ping-pong diplomacy”, to helping organize the tour of the first U.S. orchestra to China, to hosting the first Chinese journalist delegation visiting the United States, and to setting up the first China-U.S. Track 2 Dialogue, the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations has been a trailblazer with steadfast action, injecting sustained momentum into the friendship between our two peoples. 

It is encouraging to see that young people from our two countries are taking an active part in the “50,000 in five years” and then “100,000 in five years” initiatives, reaching out to each other across the Pacific, and carrying the torch of China-U.S. goodwill in the new era.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Chairman Mao Zedong once said, “While the prospects are bright, the road has twists and turns.” The development of China-U.S. relations will not be smooth sailing, but the trend of history is unstoppable. While we should not underestimate the challenges facing this relationship, nor should we give up the courage to forge ahead. Let us follow the strategic guidance of the two Presidents, and work together to ensure cooperation is the mainstay, competition is kept within proper limits, differences are managed, and peace can be expected, so as to usher in a brighter future for the China-U.S. relationship!

Thank you very much.