On October 22, 2009, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said it is believed that with joint efforts of both sides, the visit to China by U.S. President Barack Obama next month will achieve positive results, and inject new vitality into the positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship between the two countries in the 21st century.

    Yang made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the fourth China-U.S. Relations Conference. He said U.S. President Barack Obama will pay his first state visit to China next month. China would like to work with the United States to make sound preparations for the visit.

    About 300 delegates from political and academic circles of China and the United States attended the conference under the theme "China-U.S. relations: Looking ahead after 30 years."

    Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said that since China and the United States forged diplomatic ties 30 years ago, bilateral relations had made historic achievements, which not only brought the two countries and two peoples tangible benefits, but had a positive and far-reaching impact on the international situation. "In the next 30 years, we have reason to have confidence in the future of bilateral relations," said Yang. Both sides should push China-U.S. relations for even greater progress from a new historical starting point.

    Yang said the two countries should treat each other properly, and constantly enhance mutual strategic trust; consistently expand common interests and mutually beneficial cooperation; continue to respect and take in consideration of each other's core interests and major concerns and properly handle differences and sensitive issues; unswervingly push forward humanities exchanges and consolidate the social basis of their relations.

    The China-U.S. Relations Conference was initiated by former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, and is scheduled to be held every two years, in turn in the United States and China. Former President Bush said in a video message to the fourth conference, "This year marks the 30th anniversary of U.S.-China relations. During that time, our bilateral relationship has grown closer and stronger."

    U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman said in his speech that U.S.-China relations should be considered from a long-term perspective and should be handled in a positive, collaborative and comprehensive way. Both countries should treat each other as equals, understand, help and learn from each other for mutual progress.

    At the two-day conference, the participants will discuss topics such as the two countries' joint efforts to cope with global security challenges, the challenges posed by energy and climate issues to relevant industries of the two countries, bilateral trade and world economic recovery.