Conference in Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between China and the United States
January 12-13, 2009 (Beijing, PRC)____________________
The U.S.-China Policy Foundation (USCPF) participated in a two-day conference in Beijing on January 12 – 13, 2009 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the China and the United States. The event, which was sponsored by the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States, and co-sponsored by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, was attended by senior government officials and scholars from both countries.
Included among the conference participants were former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who presided over the 1978 establishment of normalized relations, and former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, whose diplomatic efforts were instrumental in achieving normalization. Dr. Chi Wang, USCPF president and co-chair, and Dr. Ernestine Wang, USCPF director of programs, represented the Foundation at the conference.
The conference began with opening remarks from President Carter and former Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen. Several prominent foreign policy actors addressed the participants during the event’s keynote session; Dr. Brzezinski and former Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan remarked on the changing strategic significance of normalization of Sino-American relations; former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft, and Li Zhaoxing, honorary president of CPIFA, spoke about the major experience of the steady development of Sino-American relations over the past thirty years and its global relevance; Clark Randt, Ambassador to China, and He Yafei, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, delivered remarks on behalf of their respective governments. Additional discussion sessions were held over the course of the conference to address prospects of Sino-American Relations and suggestions for the future development of bilateral ties.
Other featured events during the two days included a luncheon hosted by Amb. Clark Randt at the American Embassy in Beijing, a commemorative banquet in the Great Hall of the People hosted by Vice President Xi Jinping and Vice Premier Li Keqiang, and a breakfast hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in China and the U.S.-China Business Council.
In addition to the regularly scheduled conference activities, President Carter led a small group of U.S. participants to meet with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Among the participants included in this group were Dr. Henry Kissinger, Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, General Brent Scowcroft, Amb. Winston Lord, Amb. James Sasser, former Gov. Gary Locke, and Dr. Chi Wang.
Premier Wen Jiabao meets USCPF President and Chair Chi Wang in the Purple Light Pavilion (Ziguangge) in the Zhongnanhai complex.
USCPF Honorary Chairman Maruce R. Greenberg and USCPF President and Chair Chi Wang lead the American delegation as it leaves the Purple Light Pavilion after meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao.
