On the evening of August 20, the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) successfully held the commemoration event titled "The 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Diplomatic Relations Between the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America: The Friendly Exchanges Between the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs and the United States Congress" at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Beijing.
Mr. Wang Chao, President of the CPIFA, Mr. Robert Forden, Charge and Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassy to China, Ms. Dina Titus, US Congresswoman from Nevada, Amb. Sig Rogich, Chairman of the US-China Transpacific Foundation, Mr. Gleen Lau-Kee, Chairman of the US-Asia Institute, General Paul Bergson, Senior Advisor and Board Member of the US-Asia Foundation, Dr. Ernestine Wang, Executive Director of the US-China Policy Foundation and Mr. Jonathan Lowet, Deputy Vice President of the National Committee on US-China Relations, delivered remarks respectively. More than 250 participants were present, including representatives of various Chinese Central Government Ministries, institutions and Foreign Affairs Offices of Provincial and Municipal Governments, as well as Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatric from Arizona, Congressman Alan Lowenthal from California, seven US Congressional Staff Delegations and  representatives of US enterprises and organizations.

Mr. Wang Chao, President of the CPIFA, delivers welcoming remarks

President Wang Chao said in his welcoming remarks that the CPIFA was established in the same year of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and was the first Chinese people’s organization to conduct friendly exchanges with the US Congress. From 1972 to the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the US in 1979, the CPIFA received 22 US Congressional Member Delegations to China, playing a unique role in promoting the normalization of China-US relations and the establishment of diplomatic ties. Ever since 1979, the CPIFA has received about 500 delegations of 6000 delegates from US Congress. The friendly exchanges between the CPIFA and US Congress have provided an important channel for the US Congressional members and staffers to have first-hand experience in China and set up an important bridge for promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and American people. China and the US are respectively the largest developing country and the largest developed country in the world, and the people of our two countries as well as the people of the world wish to see a healthy, stable and ever-growing China-US relationship. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and the US, we review the history and look ahead to the future precisely for the purpose of further expanding the friendly exchanges in all areas between our two countries and making constant contribution to enhancing the friendship between our two peoples. President Wang expressed his welcome for more friends from US Congress to visit China, so as to learn more about China and strengthen mutual understanding.

President Wang Chao (middle) talks with Mr. Robert Forden, Chage and Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassy to China (right) and Ms. Dina Titus, US Congresswoman from Nevada (left)

Mr. Robert Forden said that US is committed to building a constructive relationship with China, where prosperity and security grow together. As the two largest economies in the world and as Permanent Members of the UN Security Council, the United States and China need to continue to cooperate to address the most critical bilateral, multilateral, and global issues. The US Congressional Staff Delegations organized by CPIFA and various US institutions provide important opportunities for both sides to share views on critical issues including trade, regional security and people-to-people exchanges. The two countries need to work together to put forward the development of bilateral relationship and achieve a prosperous next 40 years.

Mr. Robert Forden delivers remarks

On behalf of the visiting US Congressional Delegations, Congresswoman Titus said that the best way to learn about a country is to walk around and have a look there. She values the opportunity to visit China and will share with Americans what she hears and watches, how she feels and thinks back to US. Amb. Sig Rogich, Mr. Gleen Lau-Kee,  General Paul Bergson, Dr. Ernestine Wang and Mr. Jonathan Lowet, the representatives of the five US institutions that have been working with the CPIFA in organizing congressional delegations said that they appreciate the positive role played by the CPIFA in deepening US Congressional Delegations’ understanding about China and enhancing their friendship with the Chinese people, and will organize more US Congressional Delegations to visit China.

Congresswoman Titus delivers remarks

On behalf of the CPIFA, Mr. Wang Chao presented awards of cooperation to the above five US institutions to express appreciation for their support to the exchanges between the CPIFA and the US Congress and their contribution to promoting the friendship between the Chinese and American people.

President Wang Chao (third from the right) presents awards of cooperation to the five US institutions that have been working with the CPIFA in organizing congressional delegations

Exhibition of photos was held during the event with 76 precious photos being shown which have brought back the historic moments of the meetings between Chinese leaders and the visiting US congressional delegations as well as the vivid scenes of the visits by US congressional delegations to various places around China.

Photo Exhibition