Remarks by Consul General Brian Goldbeck
at the Opening of the U.S.-China 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Photo Exhibition
at the Fujian Provincial Art Gallery

Vice Governor Mr. Hong Jiexu, Vice Chairman Mr. Li Jianping, Deputy Director Mr. Li Hong, thank you for inviting me here today for my first official visit to Fujian.  The Fujian Provincial Art Gallery truly is a beautiful place and an appropriate host for this important photo exhibit which highlights our important and growing relationship as well as the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two nations.

First, let me say what a great pleasure it is to be here together with Vice Governor Hong. Vice Governor Hong has been exceedingly generous in devoting time to establishing good ties with the entire foreign diplomatic community, and for that I am especially grateful.  I would also like to thank my new friend Mr. Li Jianping, who today represents the China Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.  Both Vice Governor Hong and Mr. Li in their own ways have played important roles in the evolution of Sino-American relations, and I am thankful for their efforts to deepen mutual understanding, enhance bilateral relations, and increase the friendship between our two peoples.

Thirty years is, of course, but a blink in history – especially as compared to China’s 3,500-plus years of written history.  But as these photos show, sometimes a blink in history is the start of an epochal shift.

Looking at these photos, we can see and appreciate the passionate commitment, and deep respect in the faces of all those who made this relationship work – from the top leadership, eight American Presidents and four Chinese Presidents to the man in the street, whether in Fujian province or in the United States. 

During my diplomatic career I have worked on U.S.-China relations in Beijing, Hong Kong and Washington, and today I am happy to see photographs of many former colleagues, both American and Chinese.

Today is a happy occasion.  However, just a few days earlier, Typhoon Morakot struck Fujian province causing considerable damage.  We express our sympathy to those who suffered from this disaster and express our wishes for a quick recovery.

Although this is only the first of many official visits to Fujian province, I know that many Chinese-Americans have close ties with Fujian.  Such people-to-people relationships have contributed to the establishment of a long-term and stable relationship of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Fujian.  Trade and investment ties have also expanded significantly in both directions, further linking our people and our economies.

More broadly, as President Obama noted during the opening of the Strategic and Economic Dialogue talks on July 27, we want to develop a positive, constructive, and comprehensive relationship between our countries, and we seek ways to work together on issues such as economic recovery, climate change, clean-energy technology, nuclear nonproliferation, counterterrorism and humanitarian disasters.

As President Hu Jintao said in a statement at the January 12 inauguration of this photograph exhibit in Beijing, these pictures are a moving record of our shared accomplishments over the last thirty years.  I hope that viewing these pictures will help strengthen our resolve to move forward, deepen our friendship and cooperation, and make the world a better place not only for the people of our two great nations, but also for our children and all the world’s future generations.