Galvanizing Our Peoples into a Strong Force For the Cause of China-U.S. Friendship

"A hundred and fifty eight years ago, a large number of Chinese workers came all the way to the United States to build the . They also established in San Francisco, the oldest Chinatown in the Western hemisphere."

"[E]xtraordinary accomplishments were made jointly by our peoples, accounting for nearly one quarter of the global population."

"Seventy-eight years ago, after jointly defeating fascism and , our two countries initiated, together with others, the San Francisco conference, which helped found the United Nations... China was the first country to sign the U.N. charter. Starting from San Francisco the post-war international order was established. Over 100 countries have gained independence... Several billion people have eventually shaken off poverty. The forces for world peace, development and progress have grown stronger. This has been the main fruit jointly achieved by people of all countries and the international community."

"[T]he foundation for China-U.S. relations was laid by our peoples. During World War II our two countries fought side-by-side for peace and justice."

"Headed by General ... the went to the battlefield in China. They not only engaged in direct combats fighting Japanese aggressors, but also created airlift to transport much needed supplies to China. More than 1,000 Chinese and American airmen lost their lives on this air route."

"After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the United States sent sixteen B-25 bombers on an air raid to Japan in 1942. Running low on fuel after completing their mission, Lieutenant colonel James Dolittle and his fellow pilots parachuted in China. They were rescued by Chinese troops and local civilians, but some 250,000 civilian Chinese were killed by Japanese aggressors in retaliation."

"The Chinese people never forget the . We built a Flying Tigers Museum in and invited over 1,000 Flying Tigers veterans and their families to come back to China. I have kept in touch with some of them through letters."

"Most recently 103 year old Harry Moyer and 98 year old Mel Mcmullen, both Flying Tigers veterans, went back to China. They visited the Great Wall and were warmly received by the Chinese people."

"The American people, on their part, always remember the Chinese who risked their lives to save American pilots. Offsprings of those American pilots often visit the Dolittle Memorial Hall in of Province to pay tribute to the Chinese people for their heroic and valorous efforts."

"These stories fill me with firm confidence that the friendship between our two peoples, which has stood the test of blood and fire, will be passed on from generation to generation."

"The door of U.S.-Chinese relations was opened by our peoples. For 22 years there were estrangement and antagonism between our two countries, but the trend of the times brought us together. Convergent interests enabled us to rise above differences and the two peoples' longing broke the ice between the two countries."

"In 1971 The U.S. table tennis team visited Beijing. A small ball moved the globe. ...There formed waves of friendly exchanges"

"This year after the world emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, I have respectively met in Beijing with Dr. Henry Kissinger, Mr. Bill Gates, Senator Chuck Schumer and his Senate colleagues, and Governor Gavin Newsom. I told them that the hope of China-U.S. relationship lies in the people. Its foundation is in our societies, its future depends on the youth and its vitality comes from exchanges at subnational levels."

"I welcome more U.S. governors, congressional members and people from all walks of life to visit China."

"The stories of China-U.S. relations are written by our peoples."

"During my first visit to the United States I stayed at the Dvorchaks' in Iowa. I still remember their address, 2911 Bonnie Drive. That was my first face-to-face contact with the Americans. The days I spent with them are unforgettable. For me, they represent America."

"I have found that although our two countries are different in history, culture and social system, and have embarked on different development paths, our two peoples are both kind, friendly, hardworking and down-to-earth. We both love our countries, our families and our lives, and we both are friendly toward each other, and are interested in each other."

"It is the convergence of many streams of goodwill and friendship that has created a strong current surging across the vast Pacific Ocean."

"It is the reaching out to each other by our peoples that has time and again brought China-U.S relations from a low ebb back onto the right track."

"I am convinced that once open, the door of China-U.S. relations cannot be shut again. Once started, the cause of China-U.S. friendship cannot be derailed halfway."

"The tree of our peoples' friendship has grown tall and strong, and it can surely withstand the assault of any wind or storm."

"The future of China-U.S. relations will be created by our peoples. The more difficulties there are, the greater the need for us to forge a closer bond between our peoples and to open our hearts to each other. ...[M]ore people need to speak up for this relationship."

"We should build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people interactions. We must not erect barriers or create a chilling effect."

"We hope that our peoples will make more visits, contacts and exchanges, and write new stories of friendship in the new era."

"I... hope that California and San Francisco will continue to take the lead on the journey of growing China-U.S. friendship."

"[W]e are in an era of challenges and changes. It is also an era of hope."

"The world needs China and the United States to work together for a better future. We, the largest developing country, that is China, and the largest developed country, the United States, we must get along with each other."

"In a world of changes and chaos it is ever more important for us to have the mind, assume the vision, shoulder the responsibility and play the role that comes along with our status as major countries."

"I've always had one question on my mind. How to steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations clear of hidden rocks and shores, navigate it through storms and waves without getting disoriented, losing speed or even having a collision? In this respect, the number one question for us is, "Are we adversaries or partners?" This is the fundamental and overarching issue."

"The logic is quite simple. If one sees the other side as a primary competitor, the most consequential geopolitical challenge and a pacing threat, it will only lead to misinformed policy-making, misguided actions and unwanted results."

"China is ready to be a partner and friend of the United States. The fundamental principles that we follow in handling China-U.S. relations are mutual respect, and win-win cooperation."

"Just as mutual respect is a basic code of behavior for individuals, it is fundamental for China-U.S. relations."

"The United States is unique in its history, culture and geographical position, which have shaped its distinct development paths and social system. We fully respect all of this. The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics has been found under the guidance of the theory of scientific socialism and is rooted in the tradition of the Chinese civilization with an uninterrupted history of more than 5,000 years. We are proud of our choice, just as you are proud of yours. Our paths are different, but both are the paths of our peoples, and both lead to the realization of the common values of humanity. They should be both respected."

"is a basic norm for international relations and it's even more of a baseline that China and the United States should hold onto as two major countries."

"It is wrong to view China, which is committed to peaceful development, as a threat and thus play a against it. China never bets against the United States, and never interferes in its internal affairs. China has no intention to challenge the United States or to unseat it. Instead, we will be glad to see a confident, open, ever-growing and prosperous United States."

"Likewise, the United States should not bet against China or interfere in China's internal affairs. It should instead welcome a peaceful, stable and prosperous China."

"Win-win cooperation is the trend of the times, and it is also an inherent property of China-U.S. relations. China is pursuing high quality development and the United States is revitalizing its economy. There is plenty of room for our cooperation and we are fully able to help each other succeed and achieve win-win outcomes."

"The as well as the Global Development Initiative, the and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China are open to all countries at all times, including the United States. China is also ready to participate in U.S. proposed multilateral cooperation initiatives."

"This morning President Biden and I agreed to promote dialogue and cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect in areas including diplomacy, economy and trade, people to people exchange, education, science and technology, agriculture, military, law enforcement and artificial intelligence. We agreed to make the cooperation list longer and the pile of cooperation bigger."

"Secretary Raimando mentioned the issue of . ...China sympathizes deeply with the American people, especially the young, for the sufferings that has inflicted upon them. President Biden and I have agreed to set up a working group on counter-narcotics to further our cooperation and help the United States tackle drug abuse."

"[T]o increase exchanges between our peoples, especially between the youth, China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next 5 years."

"Pandas have long been envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States..."

"China is the largest developing country in the world. The Chinese people long for better jobs, better lives and better education for their children. This is what the 1.4 billion Chinese hold dear to their hearts. The Communist Party of China (CPC) is committed to working for the people and for our people's expectation for a better life is our goal. This means we must work hard to secure their support. Thanks to a century of exploration and struggle we have found the development path that suits us. We are now advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts, by pursuing Chinese modernization. We are committed to striving in unity to achieve modernization for all Chinese."

"A large population is a fundamental aspect of China's reality, but now we have to give the crown of the biggest population in the world to India. China is now home to the second largest population. So for China our achievements, however great, would be very small when divided by 1.4 billion, but a problem, however small, would be huge when multiplied by 1.4 billion. This is a unique challenge for a country of our size. In the meantime, big also means strength."

"The leadership of the CPC, the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the endorsement and support of the people are our greatest strength. China boasts a super large economy and a super large market. Not long ago the 6th annual was held. It attracted over 3,400 business exhibitors from 128 countries, including the United States. The exhibition area of American companies have been the largest for 6 consecutive years."

"Modernization for 1.4 billion Chinese is a huge opportunity that China provides to the world. We are committed to prosperity for all, to deliver a better life to each and every Chinese."

"To eliminate poverty is the millenia-old dream of the Chinese nation and prosperity for all is the longing of all Chinese."

"Before I turned 16 I was in a village in province where I lived and farmed with the villagers. I spent seven years there and I knew about their worries and needs. Now, half a century on, I always feel confident and strong when staying with the people."

"Serving the people selflessly and living up to their expectations is not a slogan. This is my lifelong commitment."

"When I became General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China 100 million people were still living below the poverty line set by the United Nations. Thanks to 8 years of tenacious efforts we lifted them all out of poverty. We realized the poverty reduction goal of the U.N. 2030 agenda for sustainable development 10 years ahead of schedule. In this process over 1,800 CPC members lost their lives in the line of duty."