The state visit to the United States of the
President of the People's Republic of China symbolizes
how far relations have developed between these two
great nations since contact was reestablished in 1971.
Normalization--then a distant goal--has gone far beyond
reestablishing diplomatic relations. Both nations have
come to understand that they share important interests.
Both have experienced major changes in the past decade
and a half. But their commitment to a strong and vital
relationship has grown.

I am qualified to speak only for the American
side of this equation. The overwhelming majority of
Americans welcome the ties that have developed between
our two countries. They realize that a strong China
is essential to peace in the Pacific and the rest of
the world. They observe with admiration China's dedicated
and courageous commitment to modernization. They believe
that our country can and should cooperate in this effort.
Most Americans understand that with the longest, unbroken
tradition of nationhood of any country in the world,
China will have its own views on global events and that
these will not always coincide with ours. But they are
convinced too that China's ties with other countries are
not incompatible with friendship with the United States.
They are committed to strengthening existing ties and
to work patiently to remove remaining disagreements or
misunderstandings.

It is in this spirit that all who believe in lasting
friendship between the United States and China welcome
President Li Xiannian and wish him a happy and productive
visit to our country.