Sino-Bangla News: The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), China Peoples’ Institute for Diplomacy (CPEFA), the municipal government of Shanghai, and the China-Americans Friendship Association jointly hosted the 50th anniversary of the Shanghai Communiqué at Grand Hall, Jin Jiang Hotel, Shanghai on 28 February 2022, where the communique was issued.

The hybrid event, which took place at the Hyatt on the Bund and was live-streamed, featured prominent speakers and two panels of leading diplomats, China-based American CEOs, and academics, who examined how people-to-people relations, business cooperation, and diplomats have influenced the U.S.-China relationship. Speakers and panelists also discussed how bi-lateral relations may evolve in the future.

Ambassador Lin Songtian, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries has given a speech at the Meeting in Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Shanghai Communique that is below.

Mr. Li Qiang, Party Secretary of CPC Shanghai Committee, Dr. Henry Kissinger, Respected leaders, ladies and gentlemen, friends…

Good morning!

Today, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, and the China-US People’s Friendship Association jointly host the event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the “Shanghai Communiqué” between China and the United States. Given the current grave and complex international situation, this meeting is of great significance, which has been highly valued and actively supported by people of insight from all walks of life in China and the United States.

First of all, on behalf of the co-organizers, I’d like to express our sincere gratitude to Party Secretary for your presence and speech, and State Councilor and Foreign Minister for the video keynote speech. I’d also like to extend the warm welcome to all Chinese and American guests from different sectors present and online.

Fifty years ago, leaders from China and the United States, including Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai, President Nixon, and Dr. Kissinger, made the strategic decision on the normalization of China-US relations with outstanding global strategic vision, and extraordinary political wisdom and courage by rising above the differences in ideology, political system, and cultural value, thus starting a new chapter of the China-US friendship.

On this day fifty years ago, China and the US issued the “Shanghai Communiqué”, which established the basic guiding principles for the sound development of China-US relations, including the One China principle, and the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, peaceful coexistence, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

Over the past 50 years, despite some twists and turns, the multi-dimensional, multi-level and all-round friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the United States have made continued progress, bringing profound benefits to the two peoples and contributing significantly to the maintenance of world peace and stability, and the development and prosperity of the two countries and the world at large.

Today, after 50 years, friends from different sectors from China and the United States are gathered here in Shanghai for this commemorative meeting. The purpose is to review history and pay high respect to leaders of China and the United States for their vision and extraordinary political wisdom and courage. We hope to take this opportunity to call on political leaders and people of insight in the US to demonstrate the wisdom, strategic vision, and political courage as a big power. And we call on the American people to cherish the friendship and fruitful results of the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the United States and work with the Chinese side for win-win progress. We should work together for a shared future.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The “Shanghai Communiqué” set up a model for international relations based on principles of seeking common ground while reserving differences, and win-win cooperation. It still serves as an important principle for the handling of China-US relations today.

The history and reality of the interactions between China and the United States over the past 50 years fully demonstrate that as long as both sides abide by the spirit of the “Shanghai Communiqué” and uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, China and the US, as well as the two peoples, as long as we appreciate and learn from each other’s fine cultural traditions, we can achieve common development and deliver even greater benefits to people of our two countries and the whole world.

Not long ago, during the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, Chinese and American athletes gave best wishes to each other, took photos together, exchanged gifts, and made good friends. They have filled the cold ice rinks with heart-warming scenes, and also impressed us with valuable inspirations. The Chinese and American people have a long history of friendship, and share the same pursuit of a peaceful, harmonious, and happy life.

President Xi Jinping has underlined on many occasions that we have a thousand reasons to make the China-US relationship a success, and none to wreck it. The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries is ready to work with friends from all walks of life in China and the United States and make new contributions to the China-US relations featuring win-win cooperation for the next 50 years.

Thank you!