Page:Kissinger's Trip (1) - November 25-29, 1974(Gerald Ford Library)(1553934).pdf/11



November 26, 1974

No. 513

EXCHANGE OF TOASTS BETWEEN

HIS EXCELLENCY CHIAO KUAN-HUA

FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

AND THE HONORABLE HENRY A. KISSINGER

SECRETARY OF STATE

AT A BANQUET IN PEKING

NOVEMBER 25, 1974

The Honorable Secretary of State and Mrs. Kissinger, all the other American guests, comrades and friends:

The last three years or more, Dr. Kissinger has come a long way across the ocean to visit our country on six occasions. We are glad that he has now come to Peking again, providing our two sides with an opportunity to continue the exchange of views on the normalization of Sino-American relations and on international issues of common interest. Here, I wish to bid welcome to Secretary of State Kissinger, to Mrs. Kissinger who is in China for the first time, and to the other American guests accompanying the Secretary of State on the visit.

A year has elapsed since the last visit of Mr. Secretary of State. In this year the international situation has undergone great changes, which further demonstrate that the current international situation is characterized by great disorder under heaven. The entire world is amidst intense turbulence and unrest. This reflects the sharpening of various contradictions and is something independent of man's will. The history of mankind always moves forward amidst turmoil. In our view, such turmoil is a good thing, and not a bad thing.

The Chinese and American peoples have always been friendly to each other. After more than two decades of estrangement, the door was opened for exchanges between the two countries, and the friendly relations between the two peoples have developed. Here, we ought to mention the pioneering role Mr. Richard Nixon played in this regard, and we also note with appreciation President Ford's statement that he would continue to implement the Shanghai Communique.

China and the United States have different social systems, and there are differences between us on a series of matters of principle. But this does not hinder us from finding common ground on certain matters. It is always beneficial for the two sides to have candid exchanges of views and increase mutual understanding. On the whole, Sino-American relations have in these years been moving ahead. We believe that the current visit of Mr. Secretary of State will contribute to the further implementation of the principles established in the Shanghai Communique.

I propose a toast to the friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. For further information contact: