Chinese Ambassador to the United States Yang Jiechi said Monday in Los Angeles that despite the difficulties in the first half of this year, there is better prospect for the Sino-US relations in the future.

In an address to the local Chinese-American communities who held a grand ceremony in Chinatown to celebrate his first visit to California as well as Beijing's successful bid for the 2008 Olympics, Ambassador Yang stressed the importance of the smooth development of the Sino-American relations.

"The Sino-U.S. ties are very important as both China and the United States are big world powers that share important broad-based common interests. Despite the difficulties in the first half of this year, positive signs are emerging in the Sino-U.S. relations, which we are glad to see," Yang told an audience of more than 800 people mainly from local Chinese American communities.

He expressed the belief that the bilateral ties will head for more positive development through mutual efforts. "I believe that the Sino-U.S. relations will enjoy greater development with the summit between Chinese President Jiang Zemin and his U.S. counterpart, George W. Bush, who will visit Beijing later this year. I believe this will create greater impetus for more positive development of the bilateral ties."

On the cross-Straits ties, Ambassador Yang stressed that "China is bound to realize total reunification in future, since this is not only the common wish of the people cross the Straits, but also that of all overseas Chinese."

Yang paid tributes to all Chinese Americans for their hardworking and strenuous efforts to achieve success not only in the economic sphere, but also in the political arena.

He also saluted the compatriots for their active contribution to China's economic development and strong support to its efforts for the peaceful reunification, as well as the smooth development of the Sino-U.S. relations.

Commenting on Beijing's successful bid for the Olympics, Ambassador Yang said this shows that China is not just a country enjoying rapid economic growth, but also a rising world power in sports.

Citing experts' figures, Yang said China is enjoying the highest growth at a time of worldwide economic slowdown and the growth rate for the whole year this year could reach as high as 7. 5 percent. He hoped for the expansion of economic ties between China and California to further tap the great potential.

(People’s Daily 08/28/2001)