Against such background, China-U.S. relations stand at a new historical starting point. China and the United States share wide interests, shoulder the same important responsibilities and enjoy vast cooperation potential in terms of maintaining world peace and stability, advancing international system reform, safeguarding global financial stability, promoting world economic recovery, handling regional hotspot issues, addressing global challenges, boosting Asia-Pacific cooperation and regional prosperity, reinforcing bilateral cooperation and benefiting the two peoples. Cooperation benefits both while confrontation only brings harms. Only when China and the United States respect and cooperate with each other can mutual benefit and common development be achieved.

It is unavoidable that China and the United States hold differences as two major powers with different social systems, historical traditions and development stages. The key is that both sides must always bear in mind the long-term prospects of bilateral relations and the fundamental interests of their people, carry forward the spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefit, handle differences and problems appropriately and prevent the healthy and steady development of bilateral relations from being disturbed.

Forty years ago, the Shanghai Communiqué opened the door of exchanges between China and the United States. The two sides should take credit for adopting correct actions in response to the call of the times. Today, we need more than ever to make correct political decision with the pioneering and innovative spirit. The consensus reached between the Chinese and United States heads of state on building China-U.S. cooperative partnership reflects the call of the times and the aspiration of the international community and has far-reaching significance.

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Shanghai Communiqué and at a new historical stage of China-U.S. relations, the two sides should build on the existing achievements, press ahead and raise the bilateral ties to a higher level, cling to the major trend of building China-U.S. cooperative partnership, strengthen dialogue, enhance mutual trust, eradicate interferences, boost cooperation, push forward the bilateral relations steadily and build promising prospects for the bilateral ties.

First, stick to the correct direction of China-U.S. relations. It is the common desire of people of both countries to develop China-U.S. relations soundly. As peace and development have become the theme of the times, both China and the United States must strengthen the determination and confidence to develop the cooperative partnership. We will further enhance high-level contacts and step up cooperation on the bilateral, regional and global issues with the United States. Meanwhile, the two sides should respect each other's core interests and major concerns, increase the convergence of interests, expand the positive side of the bilateral ties while reducing and curbing negative factors and ensure China-U.S. relations move forward always on the track of partnership.

Second, adhere to the principles and spirit guiding China-U.S. relations. The principles established in the three China-U.S. joint communiqués including the Shanghai Communiqué and the joint statements are the guarantee of the healthy development of bilateral relations. They basically require the two countries to handle relations in the principle of mutual respect and treating each other as equals, cooperate on the basis of common interests, seek common ground while putting aside differences and address differences appropriately. History has proven repeatedly that only by adhering to those principles can the bilateral relations grow stably and successfully. Otherwise, the bilateral ties will be plagued by troubles and the foundation of bilateral cooperation will be undermined. On issues concerning China's core interests such as the Taiwan and Tibet questions, the United States should observe the principles, abide by its commitments and seek solutions properly to avoid disturbing or tossing about the bilateral relations.