U.S., China mark 30 years of diplomacy

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter led a delegation in Beijing Monday commemorating 30 years of diplomatic relations with China.

Carter met with Chinese President Hu Jintao to note the Jan. 1, 1979, event, the state-run news agency Xinhua reported. In a speech, Hu praised Carter for his role in breaking down the barriers.

"For a long time, whether in office or retired, you have made unremitting efforts in building the friendship between the two nations and developing the relationship. I highly appreciate those efforts," Hu said.

Carter responded by praising China for its development in the last three decades.

"All of us, even including (former Communist leader) Deng Xiaoping, would have been amazed 30 years ago at the great changes that took place not only within your own country, but in the relationship between our two nations," Carter said.

Carter was accompanied by former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and former National Security Advisers Brent Scowcroft and Zbigniew Brzezinski, the report said.