A major U.S. newspaper published a special edition for the first day of 2009 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations.

The six-page special edition by the Houston Chronicle newspaper, which was available Wednesday, includes 17 articles and several pictures, reviewing the development of the China-U.S. relations in the past 30 years.

One of the articles, "Commemorating 30 years of official U.S.-China relations," is contributed by former president George H. W. Bush. The former leader said the historic milestone was well worth commemorating, "because it marked a crucial turning point in Washington and Beijing."

Bush, then head of the U.S. Liaison Office in China from 1974 to 1975, said that he was deeply moved by what China has progressed since then, and was especially impressed by what he saw when he returned to Beijing again for the 2008 Olympic Games -- his 20th visit to China since he left the White House in 1993, as he mentioned.

"I was struck by the undeniable political, economic, and societal strides China has made this past August, when I returned once more to China for the Olympic Games," he said.

In Beijing, he saw that the once ubiquitous bicycles had given way to nearly as many cars. Moreover, the "Bird's Nest" -- the national stadium -- along with other architectural feats that accent the Beijing skyline, proved that China achieved something truly special in readying itself to host the 2008 Summer Games.

As a friend of China, Bush believed that there was far more openness in China today than there was when he first went there 35 years ago. "China still faces big challenges, but the strides they have made are nothing short of remarkable. Furthermore, I believe the Chinese leadership will continue to be committed to economic and political reforms," he added.

Looking ahead, Bush thought the U.S.-China relationship would perhaps become the most important bilateral relationship affecting peace and prosperity for the whole world in the years to come.

Most serious Sino-American observers believe that the relationship between the two countries has never been better, he said, which he called as a "cause for encouragement and optimism."

Bush strongly urged readers of the Houston Chronicle who had yet to go to China to do so "if and when they can," and to see the country for themselves.

David W. Leebron, president of Rice University, praised China's enormous progress in economic development and the fostering of market-based systems in his article.

"The relationship between the United States and China will remain one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world as we seek to address the problems and challenges of our time, including public health, terrorism, energy and the protection of the environment," he wrote.

In his article, "The case for cooperation with China," Leroy Chiao, the first Chinese-American professional astronaut, pointed out that isolationism had been long obsolete and finding common and mutually beneficial areas of cooperation with China was a better way.

The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas. It is also one of the biggest newspapers in the country.

(Xinhua News Agency January 1, 2009)