Speeches and Articles by Acting Consul General Christopher J. Marut

Remarks by Christopher J. Marut
Acting Consul General of the United States of America
Opening Ceremony of 30 Years of China-U.S. Diplomatic Relations
Photo Exhibition
Macau

Acting Consul General Christopher J. Marut

September 22, 2009

(As prepared for delivery)

Chief Executive Ho, Commissioner Lu, Deputy Commissioner Song, Director Bai, Ambassador Li, General Wang, Vice Chairman Li, President Tam, Secretary Chan, Honored Guests:

Thirty years ago, on January 1, 1979, the United States of America and the People's Republic of China established formal diplomatic relations by setting up embassies in Beijing and Washington. That landmark event took place against the backdrop of Deng Xiaoping's larger policy of bringing China more fully into the international community through his policy of openness and reform. U.S.-China relations have been marked by successes and challenges, and are characterized in many ways by Deng Xiaoping's axiom "qiú tóng cún yì" (求同存異) -- "seek common ground while setting aside differences." Despite the scale of the task we have faced, each succeeding generation of leaders, diplomats, and individuals has broadened and strengthened the U.S.-China relationship.

The exhibition we open this evening offers us "snapshots" of their dedication and efforts. It also serves as a visual record not only of the thirty years of diplomatic relations between our two countries but also of the hundreds of years of contact between the people of the United States and China. There are close to three hundred photos that reflect important economic, political and cultural events in the growth of our bilateral relations. They portray a history of building bridges of understanding and cooperation between our two countries through high-level visits as well as the actions of thousands of individuals, companies, student groups and civic organizations. The images on display range in time from most currently the G-20 Summit in London this year to as far back as the voyage to China of the American trading ship Empress of China -- which set sail from New York for Macau in 1784 with a cargo of 30 tons of wild New England ginseng root to trade at Chinese ports for tea, cotton cloth, silk, tableware and spice. That venture was a success and soon led to a flourishing trade between the U.S. and China that continues today.

I would like to thank the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macau Special Administrative Region; the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the China-United States Exchange Foundation for sponsoring and devoting their time and effort to allow us to celebrate this momentous occasion. I would also like to thank the Macau SAR Government Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau for sponsoring this venue.

It is fitting that we come together here in Macau, where in August of 1784, the Empress of China first docked with its cargo, to celebrate thirty years of cooperation between the U.S. and China. I hope all of you will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to learn and enjoy and perhaps even to reminisce on the events that have brought us to this juncture today.

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