China-U.S. ties at new historical starting point

Source: China Daily | 12-30-2008 16:46

BEIJING, Dec. 30 -- More than 30 years ago, the great statesmen of China and the United States used the small ping-pong ball for a big undertaking: The resumption of contact between the two countries. The ship of China-U.S. relations, moored for so long, again set sail, braving the wind and waves.

Today, NBA player Yao Ming has become a star popular among the people of both countries. From the ping-pong ball to the basketball, it is not just a change in diameter. Rather, it reflects the enormous progress in depth and breadth of China-U.S. relations over the short span of 30 years.

Again more than 30 years ago, before Dr Henry Kissinger's secret visit to China, it seemed to many people that our mutual estrangement would continue forever.

It is said that when a British journalist filed the news of Dr Kissinger's secret mission to China to his editor in London, the editor convinced himself that the journalist must be drunk. How could Kissinger go to China? He threw this news story into the wastepaper basket without a second thought. Dr. Kissinger's visit was followed by that of then president Richard M. Nixon.

Later on, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping came to the United States. On Jan 1 1979, our two countries established formal diplomatic relations and ushered in a new era of exchange and cooperation.