LA celebration marks 45 years of diplomacy, partnership

China-US relations remain the most important bilateral relationship in the world despite the ups and downs, a Chinese envoy in Los Angeles said at a celebration marking 45 years of diplomatic relations.

Elected officials and community and business leaders from both the Chinese and American communities gathered Friday where Guo Shaochun, the Chinese consul general in Los Angeles, said that the bilateral relationship "not only bears fundamental significance for the two nations and their people but also plays a determining role in shaping the future of humanity and the planet".

In 1971, when the US table tennis team visited Beijing, it was a small ball that moved the globe. One year later, US President Richard Nixon made an ice-breaking visit to China and signed the Shanghai Communique, which laid the political foundation for the bilateral relationship.

On Jan 1, 1979, China and the US officially established diplomatic relations.

By recalling the historical milestones of the diplomatic journey, Guo mentioned the return of the Chinese delegation to the Summer Olympic Games in 1984, which was the first participation after the establishment of diplomatic ties, with Los Angeles serving as the host city.

Guo noted that in the 21st century, the two heads of state have continually calibrated the direction of the expansive ship of China-US relations, navigating away from "hidden reefs and dangerous shoals".

Guo highlighted the expanding, mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the US.

California, particularly Los Angeles and Long Beach, has led increasing exchanges and cooperation. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are working in partnership with the Port of Shanghai to establish green shipping corridors, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in international trade.

Meanwhile, the stories of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples are growing.

From the Flying Tigers who helped China fight a fascist invasion during World War II, to "Ping-Pong Diplomacy", which opened the door for people-to-people exchanges, to "panda envoys" bringing the two peoples closer, "the people-to-people friendship has always been the keynote, foundation and source of power for the development of China-US relations", Guo said.

Calling for mutual respect, handling differences appropriately, and focusing on common interests, Guo urged both sides to deepen the foundation for friendship. He expressed readiness to collaborate with friends from all walks of life to enhance dialogue and exchanges, injecting vitality into relations.

"You are most welcome to visit China, to explore a real China in a multidimensional and comprehensive manner and build more bridges of close affinity between the two peoples," Guo said.

US Representative Judy Chu, a California Democrat, remarked at the event that the 45-year history of partnership has yielded incredible wealth and opportunities for both peoples.

Paying tribute to US President Jimmy Carter and Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, who made the courageous decision to look beyond the differences of two nations and choose diplomacy by establishing official relations in 1979, Chu said that communication and cooperation would deliver benefits not only to the American and Chinese people, but to the entire world.

"There is so much more reason for the US and China to cooperate, whether it is climate change or whether it's on the economy," she told the audience.

Chu expressed her satisfaction that members of the US Cabinet have visited China recently, resuming dialogue between the two sides.

"Hopefully, they will help establish even greater economic relations in the future," she said.

Josh Newman, a member of the California state Senate, acknowledged the "undeniable" benefits of reciprocal cooperation between China, California and the United States. He said the mutual investment and expansion of cultural ties are "truly impressive".

"Chinese companies continue to lead America's demand for high-quality goods of all kinds, while China has proven to be a reliable market for California's agricultural products, Hollywood movies, and the embodiment of the California Dream," he said. "We welcome each successive generation of Chinese nationals who come to California to visit, do business, study and contribute to our shared growth."

China is California's largest trading partner, with $165.79 billion in two-way trade in 2022.

"Our trade relationship with China continues to flourish, fostering economic growth and cultural exchange on the West Coast," the California governor's office posted on X.