The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Monday kicked off its trading session with a special ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States.

In a symbolic move, Stephen A. Orlins, president of the US National Committee on US-China Relations (NCUSCR), rang the market's Opening Bell. He was accompanied by Dr. Henry Kissinger, a key trailblazer and eyewitness for the normalization of US-China relations.

Stephen A. Orlins (L4), president of the United States National Committee on US-China Relations (NCUSCR), Zhang Yesui (R3), China's UN permanent representative, Henry Kissinger (L2), former US secretary of state, attend a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China in the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, the United States, January 5, 2009. NYSE kicked off its trading session on Monday with the special ceremony. Orlins rang the market's Opening Bell. [Xinhua]

The two countries formally established their diplomatic ties on January 1, 1979.

Zhang Yesui, China's UN permanent representative, said the bilateral relations of China and United States is of great importance, not only to the two peoples, but also to the world peace and security, and the global economic development.

Dr. Kissinger, who visited China in 1971, said he is optimistic about the future of the bilateral relations of China and United States. "It is now a pillar of the international order. And peace and prosperity of the world depend closely on the Sino-US relations," he said.

Talking on areas of further co-operation between the two countries, Dr. Kissinger said first of all China and United States should develop a common solution on how to overcome the current international financial and economic crisis, and develop a program of collaboration to tackle the issue.

And "on the key problems that exist in the world -- proliferation, energy, climate change, environment -- China and United States can be a key to a solution of these problems," he said, "So the strategic dialogues between China and United States should not only continue, but be reinforced and strengthened."

NCUSCR President Orlins called the NYSE celebrating ceremony "a real testimony, not only to the historical events, but also to how far we have come."