More goodwill key to closer relationship

Event marks 45 years of China-US ties, highlighting friendship at locality level

Goodwill, potential and more people-to-people collaborations were the buzzwords at a reception at the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco on Wednesday.

Moreover, guests shared their insights on why it is crucial to advance the robust locality-level relationship between the Golden State and China.

The event, which commemorated the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America, drew hundreds of representatives from all walks of life.

In his speech to guests, Consul General Zhang Jianmin acknowledged contributions of people from both countries to help develop the relationship.

“(It) could not be possible without efforts from people from all walks of life in both countries,” Zhang said, citing a handful of trailblazers who have pushed forward the friendship.

On Jan 28, 1980, one year after China and the US established diplomatic ties, Shanghai Vice-Mayor Zhao Xingzhi and San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein signed the “Agreement on the Establishment of a Friendship-city Relationship between Shanghai and San Francisco”, marking the beginning of sister-city collaboration.

Since then, decades of close exchange between the two in various fields, such as culture, sports and science and technology, has continued despite political headwinds and pandemic obstacles.

Zhang, a native of Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, shared with guests an anecdote about a cypress tree that former US president Richard Nixon had given to the Chinese city during his historic visit in 1972.

Planted on a grassy slope in a Hangzhou garden, the tiny California redwood was dwarfed by several other trees. When Nixon told Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, who accompanied him in a stroll around the garden, that it would take centuries for the little sapling to reach its maturity, Zhou replied, “The next generations can enjoy it.”

Forty-five years later, the tree has grown tall and big. “There is even a song written to capture this episode (of friendship),” Zhang said.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed said she was excited to celebrate the partnership that exists between San Francisco and China for many, many years.

Breed said it was “extraordinary” that her city hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Week in November, especially the Bay Area summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden.

It was in California at the Filoli estate that the two heads of state had a candid and in-depth exchange of views, and the “San Francisco Vision” was initiated.

Bridging the gap

“We establish a better partnership through San Francisco that could help bridge the gap to ensure a better US-China relationship,” Breed said.

The improvement and development of China-US relations have brought practical benefits to the people of both countries and promoted peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, Zhang said.

Trade value between the two countries increased from less than $2.5 billion in 1979 to nearly $760 billion in 2022, and two-way investment has increased from almost zero to more than $260 billion.

China and the US have also had fruitful cooperation on many regional and global issues.

“However, there is more that needs to be done and can be done,” said Zhang, adding that San Francisco and California can deliver on that.

Breed said San Francisco and California can play an important role in bridging gaps and focusing on things that “bring us together — our growth, our business development, our history and culture, and our relationship that exists so many years”.