On July 27, 2024, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng delivered remarks at the Symposium in Commemoration of the 45th Anniversary of China-U.S. Diplomatic Relations held in the San Francisco Bay Area via video link, reviewing the original intention of the two countries in establishing diplomatic relations and looking forward to the future of China-U.S. relations.

In his remarks, Ambassador Xie said that the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between China and the United States was a milestone in bothbilateral and international relations. It was also a significant event that has benefited the two nations and contributed to world peace and prosperity. Over the past 45 years,the bilateral relationship has made tremendous accomplishments and has grown into one of the most deeply intertwined bilateral relationships, with the broadest areas of shared interests and cooperation.

Ambassador Xie shared three points that the past and present of the bilateral relationship revealed. First, antagonism harms both sides while partnership benefits us all. When we see each other as friends and partners, the China-U.S. relationship will develop better. Second, differences are not formidable, and we should resolve them through dialogue. China and the U.S. can and must enhance mutual trust and diffuse misgivings through dialogue. Third, decoupling leads to nowhere, and we need to work together for win-win results. The two countries should help each other succeed, not undermine each other. We need to make the list of cooperation longer and the negative list shorter. We should diffuse the negative, zero-sum narratives with the uplifting stories of dialogue and cooperation.

The symposium was held by the overseas Chinese community in the San Francisco Bay Area. Governor of California Gavin Newsom sent a congratulatory letter. Consul General of China in San Francisco Zhang Jianmin, Secretary of Government Operations in California State Amy Tong, Mayor London Breed and former Mayor Willie Brownof San Francisco, President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Aaron Peskin, Supervisor of Alameda County David Hobart, and Professor of Stanford University Soctt Rozelle also delivered remarks. More than 200 representatives from various sectors from Northern California, Washington, Oregon and Nevadaattended the event.