We, on our part, have brought the American people a message of friendship from the Chinese people. Carter for this grand and warm welcome, which we consider to be a token of the American people's friendship for the Chinese people. Carter, ladies and gentlemen:įirst of all, I wish to thank the President and Mrs. The Vice Premier spoke in Chinese, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.įollowing the ceremony, which was broadcast live on radio and television, the President and the Vice Premier went to the Oval Office for the first of two separate meetings held during the day. Thank you for honoring us with your visit. Vice Premier Deng, you, your wife, your party are welcome to our great country. It's a day of reconciliation, when windows too long closed have been reopened. It's a time when family quarrels are forgotten, a time when visits are made, a time of reunion and reconciliation.Īs for our two nations, today is a time of reunion and new beginnings. On your New Year's Day, I am told, you open all doors and windows to give access to beneficent spirits. Vice Premier, was the lunar New Year, the beginning of your Spring Festival, the traditional time of new beginnings for the Chinese people. People who are different have much to learn from each other. Let us recognize those differences and make them sources not of fear, but of healthy curiosity not as a source of divisiveness, but of mutual benefit.Īs long as we harbor no illusions about our differences, our diversity can contribute to the vitality of our new relationship. Our histories and our political and economic systems are vastly different. Vice Premier, let us pledge together that both the United States and China will exhibit the understanding, patience, and persistence which will be needed in order for our new relationship to survive. For the past century and more, our relations have often been marred by misunderstanding, false hopes, and even war. From an earlier time when I visited China, 30 years ago, I recall days of close contact and of friendship and hospitality.īut history also teaches us that our peoples have not always dealt with each other wisely. The American people have warm feelings for the Chinese. We are glad that time is past.Ĭhina is one of the nations to which a significant number of Americans, our own citizens, trace their ancestry. For too long, the Chinese and the American peoples have not been able to see each other for themselves. ![]() There is a Chinese saying that seeing once is worth more than a hundred descriptions. We are eager for you and your people to see and to experience our Nation and for our people to experience yours. So, we particularly welcome the opportunity to exchange students and scholars and to improve our trade, technological, scientific, and cultural contacts. Our Nation is made up of people of many backgrounds, brought together by a common belief in justice, individual liberty, and a willingness to settle differences peaceably. As a people, we firmly believe in open discussion with others and a free exchange of ideas with others. You have chosen to broaden your cultural, trade, and diplomatic ties with other nations. Vice Premier, the People's Republic of China has begun to move boldly toward modernization. Under the leadership of Premier Hua Guofeng and of you, Mr. Now we share the prospect of a fresh flow of commerce, ideas, and people, which will benefit both our countries. For too long, our two peoples were cut off from one another. We expect that normalization will help to move us together toward a world of diversity and of peace. We expect that normalization of relations between our two countries will help to produce an atmosphere in the Asian and Pacific area in which the right of all peoples to live in peace will be enhanced. The United States of America has major interests in the Asian and in the Pacific regions. We share in the hope which springs from reconciliation and the anticipation of a common journey. Today we take another step in the historic normalization of relations which we have begun this year. Vice Premier, to the United States of America. ![]() On behalf of the people of my country, I welcome you, Mr. Vice Premier Deng, Madame Zhuo Lin, distinguished Chinese guests, fellow Americans, and friends: Presdient Carter's Comments | Vice Premier Deng's Comments | President Carter's Toast | Vice Premier Deng's Toast Below are the comments the leaders made at the welcoming ceremony and at the state dinner on January 29, 1979. It followed the reestablishment of formal diplomatic relations between the U.S. ![]() Deng Xiaoping made the first state visit by a Chinese leader to the U.S.
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