On March 31st, Consul General Zhao Jian addressed the Innovation Development Forum hosted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Counselor Chen Yinghui of the Consulate General, Champaign Mayor Diane Marlin, and about 150 faculty members and students of the university attended the forum.

In his speech, Consul General Zhao said that this year is the 40th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations. With China being the largest developing country and the U.S. the largest developed country in the world, this relationship not only directly affects the welfare of the people of the two countries, but also bears on global peace, stability and prosperity. Over the past 40 years, the development of China-U.S. relations has brought real benefits to the two peoples. We both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Cooperation is our best way forward.

Consul General Zhao noted that it is important for the two sides to respect each other’s sovereignty, security and development interests, enhance mutual trust through dialogue and consultation and manage differences properly, as is key to maintaining the sound and stable development of bilateral relations. The goodwill and friendship between the Chinese and American people is the fundamental driving force of bilateral relations. And the future of China-U.S. ties rests in the hands of the young generations. Consul General Zhao expressed the hope the Chinese and American students can serve as the goodwill ambassadors of their respective country and contribute their part to the continued development of China-U.S. relations.