PEKING, Feb. 28, Reuter: China and the United States celebrated the 1Sth anniversary of the document that paved the way for diplomatic relations, just before U.S. Secretary of State Geotge Shultz arrives, the People’s Daily said today.
It said a reception was held yesterday to mark 15 years today since the “Shanghai Communique”, the first step towards ending 23 years of hostility and leading to establishment of diplomatic relations in 1979.
The Communique was issued after a secret visit to China in 1971 by Henry Kissinger and the visit in February 1972 by President Richard Nixon.
The paper quoted Huang Zhen, president of the China—U.S. People’s Friendship Association, as saying that in the past 15 years marked progress had been in friendly relations between the two countries and people.
“This not only accords with the fundamental interests of the two peoples but also helps maintain peace and stability in Asia and the world as a whole,” he said.
The paper quoted U.S. Ambassador Winston Lord, who accompanied Kissinger on his secret mission, as saying that during the past 15 years the two sides had weathered political earthquakes and tremors in China and America but leaders of both countries have strengthened bilateral ties.
He said the two sides should seek to narrow their differences wherever they can and broaden collaboration wherever they can.
Shultz, due in China tomorrow for a five day visit, told reporters that China’s political crackdown on Western influences, its start on improving relations with Moscow and its arms sales to Iran would at the top of the agenda in two days of talks.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 6, 1987
