Chinese President Jiang Zemin -- Oct. 29, 1997

JIANG (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Mr. President and Mrs. Clinton, ladies and gentlemen, let me thank you, Mr. President, for your kind invitation. It is with great pleasure that I have come to the United States of America for a state visit.

I wish to take this opportunity to convey to the great American people the cordial greetings and best wishes of the 1.2 billion Chinese people.

Eighteen years ago, Mr. Deng Xiaoping solemnly announced here that a new era for Sino-American relations had begun.

Today, the Chinese people have sent me on this mission to the United States to enhance mutual understanding, broaden common ground, develop cooperation, and build a future together, and to bring our relationship into a new stage of development.

On the eve of the 21st century, people all over the world are looking forward to a new century full of hope and our planet blessed with peace, tranquility and prosperity for mankind.

Both China and the United States are countries that carry considerable weight in the world. In the new international situation, the share interests between China and the United States have increased rather than decreased.

Our potential for cooperation has expanded, rather than diminished. Our two countries share broad common interests and shoulder a common responsibility on major issues bearing upon human survival and development.

All the people in the world, and persons of insight are following closely the course of development of China-U.S. relations.

We should view and handle our relations from a historical height and with a strategic perspective. The past quarter of a century has witnessed the conclusion of three China-U.S. joint communiques, which facilitated expansion of our exchanges and cooperation in various fields and proper handling of differences between our two countries.

I believe not so long as we continue to strictly abide by the principles as set forth in the three China-U.S. joint communiques, China-U.S. relations will advance steadily and soundly.

I hope that the development of China-U.S. relations will positively promote mutual respect, peaceful co-existence and common development of all countries in the world different in history, culture, social system and level of development.

Let us, the Chinese and the Americans, join hands and together with people around the world, work hard to bring about the new century of peace, stability and prosperity.

Allow me to thank you, Mr. President, once again for your warm welcome. Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

END

Copyright © 1997 Federal Document Clearing House