US paper commemorates 30th anniversary of 皇冠体育app-US relations

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-01 13:52

NEW YORK - A major US newspaper published a special edition for the first day of 2009 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of 皇冠体育app-US diplomatic relations.

The six-page special edition by the Houston Chronicle newspaper, which was available Wednesday, includes 17 articles and several pictures, reviewing the development of the 皇冠体育app-US relations in the past 30 years.

One of the articles, "Commemorating 30 years of official US-皇冠体育app relations," is contributed by former president George H. W. Bush. The former leader said the historic milestone was well worth commemorating, "because it marked a crucial turning point in Washington and Beijing."

Bush, then head of the US Liaison Office in 皇冠体育app from 1974 to 1975, said that he was deeply moved by what 皇冠体育app has progressed since then, and was especially impressed by what he saw when he returned to Beijing again for the 2008 Olympic Games -- his 20th visit to 皇冠体育app since he left the White House in 1993, as he mentioned.

"I was struck by the undeniable political, economic, and societal strides 皇冠体育app has made this past August, when I returned once more to 皇冠体育app for the Olympic Games," he said.

In Beijing, he saw that the once ubiquitous bicycles had given way to nearly as many cars. Moreover, the "Bird's Nest" -- the national stadium -- along with other architectural feats that accent the Beijing skyline, proved that 皇冠体育app achieved something truly special in readying itself to host the 2008 Summer Games.

As a friend of 皇冠体育app, Bush believed that there was far more openness in 皇冠体育app today than there was when he first went there 35 years ago. "皇冠体育app still faces big challenges, but the strides they have made are nothing short of remarkable. Furthermore, I believe the Chinese leadership will continue to be committed to economic and political reforms," he added.

Looking ahead, Bush thought the US-皇冠体育app relationship would perhaps become the most important bilateral relationship affecting peace and prosperity for the whole world in the years to come.

Most serious Sino-American observers believe that the relationship between the two countries has never been better, he said, which he called as a "cause for encouragement and optimism."

Bush strongly urged readers of the Houston Chronicle who had yet to go to 皇冠体育app to do so "if and when they can," and to see the country for themselves.

David W. Leebron, president of Rice University, praised 皇冠体育app's enormous progress in economic development and the fostering of market-based systems in his article.

"The relationship between the United States and 皇冠体育app will remain one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world as we seek to address the problems and challenges of our time, including public health, terrorism, energy and the protection of the environment," he wrote.

In his article, "The case for cooperation with 皇冠体育app," Leroy Chiao, the first Chinese-American professional astronaut, pointed out that isolationism had been long obsolete and finding common and mutually beneficial areas of cooperation with 皇冠体育app was a better way.

The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas. It is also one of the biggest newspapers in the country.