U.S. ambassador: Sino-U.S. ties stable enough to weather differences

BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman Thursday said the U.S.- China relationship is mature and stable enough to weather differences between the two countries.

Huntsman made the remarks in his speech, "2010: The Year of Decision," at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing.

The ambassador thought 2010 would be "the most important year in the history of the Sino-U.S. relations," as the two sides had to take action and make real progress on pressing global challenges like economic recovery and climate change.

The China-U.S relationship had a good start after President Obama took office last year.

However, U.S arms sales to Taiwan and U.S leaders' meetings with the Dalai Lama posed problems.

"I've seen enough ups and downs to know that the recent turbulence we've experienced is part of a natural cycle. Our relationship is mature and stable enough to weather our differences," said Huntsman in his half-hour speech.

Huntsman said he was confident the two countries would work through their differences through dialogue, and they would be able to get on with the global challenges.

"Together we can lay the foundation for another 30 years of economic growth and stability in our countries, and in the world," he said.

"I am convinced that blue skies are already on the horizon," he said.

He expected the bilateral relationship would regain the "high cruising altitude" of last year by the opening of the Shanghai World Expo in May.

He was also confident the two sides would make real progress on the global challenges when they met for the second round of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (SED) and when Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the United States this year.