U.S. Ambassador to China Clark Randt on Sunday spoke highly of the 30-year development of Sino-U.S. relations, saying the ties "will continue to be increasingly good."

Randt made the remarks during a new year reception hosted by China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, at which State Councilor Dai Bingguo and some 400 foreign diplomats and Chinese officials were present.

"We have some ups and downs but we've come a long way. From January 1979 to January 2009, (we've made) a lot of progress. It's terrific...," Randt told Xinhua.

As for the future development of China-U.S. ties, Randt said "there is no change, it will continue to be increasingly good."

China and the United States issued a joint communique in December 1978, in which the two countries established diplomatic ties since Jan. 1, 1979.

Randt said several big celebrations will be held in Beijing to mark the anniversary next month, which will be attended by State Secretary Condoleezza Rice, former President Jimmy Carter, former U.S. National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, former State Secretary Henry Kissinger and former U.S. ambassadors to China.

He also hailed China's diplomatic work in 2008 as "good and professional."

"It did very well. Olympics is a great success for one thing... You are very good and very professional," Randt said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 29, 2008)