China, U.S. agree bilateral relations as most important

The two nations should strengthen friendly exchanges between their peoples to cement the social basis for friendship, he said.

The two countries saw trade exceed 300 billion U.S. dollars in 2007, about 120 times of that 30 years ago.

So far, the two governments have signed more than 30 agreements of cooperation, and set up more than 60 dialogue mechanisms.

China and the United States, as cooperative partners, not strategic opponent, enjoyed mutually beneficial relations, not zero-sum competitive ties, Xi said. The cooperation was conducive for both countries, for the Asia-Pacific region, and for the world at large.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said in his address that the relationship "is the most important diplomatic relationship in the world today."

Carter, who, in office, made the decision to normalize relations with China, said, "History has shown that normalization brought greater security and prosperity to more people, not only to the U.S. and Chinese peoples, but also to the rest of the world."

He said he was fortunate to see the relationship flourish and to observe China reinventing and rebuilding herself into a nation that has "changed her mission to the Chinese people and to the world".

"If we are to overcome the challenges of the 21st Century, including global warming and climate change, disease control, terrorism, nuclear proliferation and a global financial crisis, our two nations must maintain the mutual respect that has served us in the past," he said.

"The founding principles of 'understanding, patience and persistence' that began 30 years ago should never be in danger," Carter said, referring to the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Carter said he had always adhered to the one-China policy. "I consider it an essential policy priority of the United States that the People's Republic of China be recognized as the sole government of China," he noted.

Xi met with Carter before the reception, applauding the efforts of Carter and other politicians to promote the Sino-U.S. relations. Xi hoped they would continue their work.

Editor:Zhang Ning