30 years of China-US relations

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-02-2009 09:12

The Sino-US relationship has seen ups and downs since Beijing and Washington established diplomatic ties in 1979.

The Sino-US relationship has seen ups and downs sinc  Beijing and Washington established diplomatic ties in 1979.

The normalization of relations between China and the United States has opened a new chapter in bilateral ties.

Despite ups and downs over the past 30 years, changes in the bilateral relationship have been fundamental.

Kenneth Lieberthal, Visiting Fellow, a visiting fellow, John L. Thornton China Center, said, "I remember when the US and China established diplomatic relations...then the relations is almost based on containing the Soviet Union. So it was clearly security and strategic with very little people-to-people exchange, economic exchange. Now the relationship is totally different. We developed a wide range, mature relationship."

The normalization of relations between China and the United States has opened a new chapter in bilateral ties.

30 years later, the relationship between Beijing and Washington has become one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world.

There are now more than 60 dialogue and cooperation mechanisms between the two countries.

And trade volume increased 120 fold from 1979 to 2007.

In facing the global financial crisis, analysts believe a united effort of the US, China, and the rest of the world is essential.