Carter lauds China-U.S. friendship, calls for continued co-op

HOUSTON, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has sent his best wishes to the Chinese government and people on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and called on the two countries to work together to tackle global challenges.

"The people of China and I have enjoyed a long and precious friendship, and I congratulate you as you celebrate the accomplishments China has achieved during the past 60 years," Carter said in a letter dated Sept. 14 to Yanping Gao, China's consul general in Houston.

Carter recalls the days when he, as U.S. President, made the decision with then Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping to establish diplomatic relations between the United States and China in 1979.

Following the rapid development of bilateral ties in the past 30 years, more than 60 bilateral dialogue and consultation mechanisms have been established between the two nations. Observers believe these are important platforms for in-depth exchanges of views on strategic thinking in economic and political fields, and they have helped enhance strategic mutual trust between China and United States.

"The citizens of the United States and China have benefited greatly from 30 years of a peaceful and prosperous friendship," he said. "In this short time, China has become the third largest economy and the largest exporter of goods in the world, and your global political influence is equally impressive."

The past 30 years have seen the economies of China and the United States complement each other well in a lot of aspects, resulting in the rapid expansion and win-win nature of bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

China and United States are now each other's second largest trading partners, and China has been the fastest growing market for U.S. exports for 6 years in a row.

Looking forward, the former U.S. president calls on the two countries to "continue to maintain mutual respect and work together to face the challenges of global warming and climate change, human suffering, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, regional warfare, and the global economic downturn."